By Nkechi Eze
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has described the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, as a leader whose enduring legacy was defined not just by what he built, but by the lives he touched, especially among Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
Delivering a moving tribute at the special Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in honour of the late former President on Thursday, Hajia Imaan said Buhari was a statesman who “planted trees under whose shade he would never sit,” a leader who built institutional resilience and demonstrated compassion for the marginalized.
According to the Minister, Buhari’s leadership went beyond bricks and mortar; it was about dignity, humanity, and national sovereignty. “He saw the displaced, the trafficked, the refugees and the underserved. He listened. And he acted,” she declared.
Drawing from her personal experiences, the Minister recalled how, under Buhari’s administration, she served in key humanitarian roles including as Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and as Federal Commissioner at the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
She noted that during her tenure at NAPTIP, Buhari’s backing was instrumental in Nigeria’s elevation from the U.S. Tier 2 Watchlist to Tier 2 on anti-trafficking efforts, a move that restored international confidence and averted possible sanctions.
She further recalled the President’s pivotal role in signing the NCFRMI Act into law in 2022, after it had suffered 14 years of delay and failed attempts by past administrations. “It was a historic leap that gave legal backing and institutionalized hope for millions of refugees, migrants and IDPs,” she said.
One of the most poignant memories she shared was from Buhari’s final day in office. “Barely 24 hours before handing over, he sat in the Villa and virtually commissioned several Resettlement Cities built for displaced citizens. He said, ‘These people have been through so much. If all I do is give them a place to call home, I am at peace.’ That was who he was,” the Minister reflected.
Turning to the current administration, Hajia Imaan praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for continuing and accelerating Buhari’s legacy through the Renewed Hope Agenda. She said that under Tinubu’s leadership, women, children, and vulnerable groups had moved from being mere policy references to central priorities with budgetary commitments.
“The strategic inclusion of women has transitioned from blueprint to budget line. From economic empowerment to social protection and development, this administration has widened the scope, deepened the scale, and fast-tracked inclusive governance,” she noted.
She expressed strong conviction that the late President would have been pleased to see how his foundational policies are now bearing fruit. “He would have rejoiced to see that the women he championed are not only leading but positioned as an economic power of the nation, and that the institutions he fortified are now thriving under your stewardship, Mr. Chairman,” she said, addressing President Tinubu directly.
Concluding her tribute, the Minister affirmed that Buhari’s legacy is not confined to the past but is “a living force” propelling Nigeria forward. She expressed hope that his memory would comfort his family, inspire the nation, and strengthen the collective resolve to hand over a better Nigeria to future generations.
