Dr Jumai AhmaduAt the just-concluded Abuja Business and Investment Expo organized by AICL, the renowned administrator and social impact philanthropist, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, emphasized the urgent need for deliberate advocacy and inclusive empowerment to unlock the full potential of women in emerging markets
The air was charged with purpose and optimism at the Abuja Business and Investment Expo 2025, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, where policymakers, business leaders, and innovators converged under the theme “Empowering Sustainable Growth, Unlocking Potentials in Emerging Markets.”
Among the distinguished voices shaping conversations at the Expo was Dr. Jumai Ahmadu (PhD) a dependable and ingenious administrator, author, and public policy analyst whose over two decades of experience in government and the non-profit sector have made her one of the most respected advocates for social impact and women empowerment in Nigeria.
Speaking during a panel session on “Educating Women for the Future: Skills Development for a Competitive Economy,” Dr. Ahmadu underscored that while Nigeria has laid down commendable policies for women’s development, the gap remains in advocacy and accessibility.
“All the policies are in place,” she said, “but what we lack is deliberate advocacy, ensuring that these policies reach those who truly need them. That is the bridge we must build. The current administration is making efforts to ensure nobody is left behind in terms of awareness and inclusion. At the FCT, for instance, we have the mandate secretariat for women. But beyond that, we must empower women at the micro level because that is where true economic growth begins.”
She argued that the micro economy—driven largely by women, is the foundation of global economic stability, emphasizing that neglecting this sector limits the tangible manifestation of government policies. “If we leave women behind, we leave the economy behind,” she added.
Dr. Ahmadu’s advocacy is not limited to policy discussions; it is rooted in decades of hands-on service. As President of the Helpline Social Support Initiative (HSSI) since 2010, she has led numerous empowerment and social welfare programs across Nigeria, including the Voice of the Girl Child Parliament, the Proudly Naija Expo (a trade fair promoting Made-in-Nigeria goods), and several food bank and micro-credit initiatives targeted at women and widows in rural communities.
Through HSSI, she has consistently championed self-reliance, moral development, and youth mentorship. Her vision of philanthropy is pragmatic—focused on equipping women and young people to sustain themselves economically, rather than merely providing aid.
As Country Head of the Global Women Development Network (GWDN), Dr. Ahmadu provides technical support for women empowerment programs nationwide, fostering partnerships with international NGOs, UN agencies, and community-based organizations to ensure that development programs are locally owned and sustainable. She also serves as the FCT Coordinator for the Women Agro Processors, Agricgen and Exporters Initiative (WAPA GEIN), where she supports “She-Farmers” by promoting technology integration, advocacy, and access to resources within the agricultural value chain.
A multiple award-winning public servant, Dr. Ahmadu co-convened the African Women Conference, which has been hosted in New York, Namibia, Morocco, Rwanda, The Gambia, and Ethiopia, creating global platforms for women to collaborate on leadership, development, and entrepreneurship. Her intellectual contributions are reflected in several publications she has supported or authored, including “Break the Box, Be Your Boss: Eneconomics Principles for the Making of a Master-Achiever,” “101 + 10 Success Capsules,” and “Abuja: The Evolution and Development of a Federal Capital City.” Her works consistently echo her belief in education, productivity, and women’s inclusion as the keys to sustainable national growth.
Currently serving as the Acting Director of the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr. Ahmadu oversees innovation and reform strategies designed to improve service delivery within the FCT. Her earlier administrative journey within the Department of Information and Communications honed her leadership, organizational management, and public policy formulation skills, attributes that have earned her wide recognition across public service circles.
An alumna of the University of Abuja, Dr. Ahmadu holds a Doctorate in Public Policy Analysis, a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy Analysis, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Jos. Her early education in Kogi State shaped her resilience and passion for grassroots empowerment, a passion that continues to define her professional and philanthropic endeavors.
Reflecting on the Expo’s theme, Empowering Sustainable Growth, Unlocking Potentials in Emerging Markets, Dr. Ahmadu called for stronger partnerships between government, the private sector, and civil society organizations to scale up grassroots advocacy and ensure that empowerment policies truly transform lives. “Advocacy,” she emphasized, “is not just about information, it’s about connection. It’s about ensuring that women, especially at the microeconomic level, understand that these policies belong to them. Once they embrace that power, we will witness the physical manifestation of growth and inclusion in our economy.”
Dr. Jumai Ahmadu’s ultimate goal is clear: to become Africa’s foremost entrepreneurial philanthropist, a leader who merges enterprise, policy, and compassion to drive sustainable development. Her work continues to exemplify the intersection of governance, advocacy, and empowerment, a legacy that inspires the next generation of women leaders across Africa.
As the curtains fell on the Abuja Business and Investment Expo 2025, one message lingered powerfully from Dr. Ahmadu’s session, that true empowerment begins with deliberate action, inclusive advocacy, and sustained support for women at the grassroots. In her words:
“Policies alone don’t change lives, people do. And when women rise, economies rise.”
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