CLOSED-UP: Meet Nigeria’s New Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim

In a major cabinet shake-up, President Bola Tinubu has reassigned Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Nigeria’s first female Minister of State for Police Affairs, to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

This change follows the dismissal of five ministers, including Uju-Ken Ohaneneye, former Minister of Women Affairs, as part of Tinubu’s Wednesday reshuffle.

Other affected ministers include Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Gwarzo (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development).

The reshuffle also saw new appointments, pending Senate confirmation. Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu has been named Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, while Nentawe Yilwatda replaces Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

Raised in Abuja, Sulaiman-Ibrahim was born in Plateau State and hails from Keffi, Nasarawa State. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Abuja and two Master’s degrees—an MA in Management and an MBA from Webster University, UK—both earned by the age of 21.

Her career spans various sectors, including her role as Senior Sales Director at Mary Kay Cosmetics, UK, and her time as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication to the former Minister of Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba. She was also a member of the Nasarawa State Economic Advisory Council in 2019.

In 2021, she briefly served as the Director-General of Nigeria’s anti-trafficking agency before being reassigned to lead the Federal National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.

Her latest role as Minister of State Police Affairs has now paved the way for her new appointment in the Women Affairs Ministry, where her blend of public service and business acumen is expected to drive impactful changes.