The federal government has announced plans to set up safe spaces in all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria. This aims to improve protection and support services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, shared this news on Wednesday. She spoke during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between her ministry and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in Abuja.
This agreement is made in partnership with the New Era Foundation. It aims to enhance protection, rehabilitation, and support for survivors of GBV across the nation.
Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim mentioned that this initiative is part of the National Action Plan on GBV. This plan is being developed to help survivors access care, protection, and justice.
"A core component of this upcoming national action plan is the strategic establishment of dedicated safe spaces across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria to decentralise immediate care and protection," she said.
She explained that these centres will help survivors get immediate support, referral services, and protection close to their homes.
The minister also noted that the government is working on setting up regional mega-protection centres. These centres will provide integrated services for survivors.
"These centres will provide medical, legal, psychosocial, and rehabilitation services under one roof to support recovery and access to justice," she said.
Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that mobile support teams will be sent out under the Women on Wheels initiative. This will help extend services to communities that lack support.
"Through Women on Wheels, we will take trauma-informed care, psychosocial support, and essential services closer to women and girls who need them most," she stated.
She expressed worry about the rising cases of GBV in the country. The minister revealed that 2,755 cases of gender-based violence and intimate partner violence were reported between January and April 2026.
"This translates to an average of about 23 reported cases every day within the review period," she noted.
Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim pointed out that only four percent of formally reported cases led to successful prosecution.
"This clearly highlights the need for stronger protection and accountability mechanisms," she said.
She also mentioned that women and girls make up more than 81 percent of documented survivors. Sexual violence represents 82 percent of recorded cases.
"This is a wake-up call. We must move beyond prevention to protection, rehabilitation, and access to justice for survivors," she said.
The minister said the partnership between NPHCDA and the New Era Foundation will help support the broader GBV protection framework.
Muyi Aina, the Chief Executive Officer of NPHCDA, also spoke on the issue. He called GBV a major public health and human rights challenge.
Mr Aina said survivors often face physical injuries, emotional trauma, and long-lasting social effects.
"Gender-based violence leaves deep physical, emotional, and social scars on survivors and their families," he added.
He explained that the partnership will give survivors healthcare, counselling, legal support, rehabilitation, and chances for empowerment.
"This collaboration shows the importance of bringing together health, social welfare, and community support systems to address GBV," he said.
Patricia Otuedon-Arawore, a Trustee of the New Era Foundation, also shared her thoughts. She said the foundation’s Patients’ Home in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, will become a rehabilitation centre for survivors.
Mrs Otuedon-Arawore noted that the facility was set up to support vulnerable women with temporary shelter and empowerment opportunities.
She added that the partnership will transform the facility into a safe recovery space for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.
"The facility is now being repositioned to offer safety, recovery, and hope to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence," she said.
She further explained that the centre will provide survivors with a healing environment for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Earlier, Esuabana Nko-Asanye, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, talked about the partnership. She said it shows a shared commitment to tackling issues facing vulnerable women and girls.
Mrs Nko-Asanye emphasized that collaboration among government institutions, partners, and civil society is key to strengthening protection systems.
"No single institution can address this challenge alone. Partnerships like this are essential to protecting vulnerable women and girls across the country," she said.
The stakeholders committed to improving access to protection, rehabilitation, and justice services for survivors and vulnerable groups nationwide.
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