The Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development says it recorded notable progress in women empowerment, disability inclusion, child protection, and humanitarian support across the state in 2025.
The ministry said the interventions, carried out between January and December, aligned with the social development policies of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and focused on protecting vulnerable populations and strengthening community resilience.
According to the ministry, economic hardship and rising vulnerability among women and girls remained a major challenge during the period under review.
To address this, food and non-food items, alongside cash stipends, were distributed to more than 10,000 women and vulnerable girls to support livelihoods and reduce dependency.
The ministry also reported progress in child protection efforts, particularly in addressing street involvement and unsafe living conditions among children in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
Over 200 orphaned and vulnerable children, including street children and hawkers, were rescued, rehabilitated, and reintegrated during the year.
The rescued children received medical screening, food, clothing, temporary shelter, and structured rehabilitation before reintegration.
Where family reunification was considered unsafe, the children were placed in foster care, accredited child-care facilities, or enrolled in the ministry’s Temporary Learning Programmes.
The ministry said all enrolled children are currently attending primary and secondary schools under full state government scholarship schemes.
It added that oversight visits were conducted to orphanages and children’s homes to ensure compliance with child welfare standards.
On humanitarian response, the ministry said displacement and flooding affected thousands of households across the state in 2025.
More than 5,000 displaced households in Maiduguri and Jere received food items, clothing, hygiene kits, and shelter support, while flood-affected families were provided with mosquito nets, sanitary materials, cooking items, and temporary shelter assistance.
The ministry said persons living with disabilities continued to face barriers to inclusion and economic participation.
It disclosed that the state government, through BOGIS and with support from the ICRC, provided land for a disability hub, which is nearing completion.
The ministry also said that on December 3, 2025, 250 persons living with disabilities received cash support of N200,000 each under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
In addition, the ministry supported the Annual Peace Prayer Gathering organised by disability groups to promote unity and peace in the state.
On family stability and gender-based violence, the ministry said it supported the weddings of 25 orphaned and vulnerable girls by providing household items, bedding, and accommodation support.
It added that the GBV Response Unit handled 60 reported cases during the year, offering survivors medical care, legal support, psychosocial counselling, and access to safe shelters.
The ministry said referral systems and coordination with partners were strengthened to improve response outcomes.
Community sensitisation activities were also carried out in MMC, Jere, Konduga, and Kaga through town hall meetings and awareness sessions on GBV prevention, child protection, and family health.
International Women’s Day and Children’s Day were marked with participation from schools, civil society organisations, and community groups.
The ministry further reported that coordination was enhanced through strategic workshops, including the Borno Reintegration Workshop and a GBV Response and Referral Pathways Workshop involving government agencies, traditional leaders, and development partners.
On institutional development, the ministry said the Women Development Centre in Maiduguri was renovated with improved training facilities, solar power, upgraded water supply, and modern infrastructure.
Construction also commenced on a Safe House for GBV survivors to provide counselling, skills training, and legal services.
Under the DDRR initiative, the ministry said it managed transit centres for surrendered ex-combatants, women, and children, with over 3,000 beneficiaries receiving psychosocial support, education, and vocational training.
The ministry added that renovation work also began at the Maiduguri Blind Workshop, alongside upgrades to ICT services at the facility.
It said the achievements reflect sustained efforts by the state government to support vulnerable populations and strengthen social protection systems in Borno State.
