Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has been hailed as a champion of women’s empowerment and inclusive governance for his administration’s groundbreaking initiatives promoting gender equality and economic participation among women.
The commendation came from the Director-General of the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA), Sanusi Yero, during a press briefing held on Wednesday in Kaduna. Yero said the governor’s leadership has “redefined public procurement in Nigeria” by institutionalizing gender-responsive policies that directly empower women-owned businesses.
National Recognition for Kaduna’s Gender Policy
Yero noted that at the 9th Voice of Women Conference and Awards held recently in Abuja, KADPPA received the “Government Agency Supporting Women and Their Families” award.
“Indeed, the Governor has demonstrated the political will, institutional backing, and policy direction that made this award possible. The credit should rightly go to His Excellency,” Yero stated.
Kaduna, First Subnational with Gender-Responsive Procurement Framework
According to Yero, Kaduna State became the first subnational government in Nigeria to adopt a Gender-Responsive Procurement Policy, a framework designed to promote women’s participation in public contracting and enhance inclusivity in governance.
He explained that the policy not only opens access to government contracts but also provides financial and reservation benefits for women-owned enterprises.
“KADPPA has waived all registration fees for women-owned businesses, while non-refundable tender fees have been reduced by 50 per cent,” Yero said.
“In addition, registration fees with other government agencies have also been cut by 50 per cent for women-owned firms. These measures constitute the financial benefits of the policy,” he added.
Reserved Contract Quotas for Women-Owned Businesses
Yero further disclosed that the policy guarantees reserved quotas for women entrepreneurs:
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20% of all goods contracts are reserved for women,
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10% of consulting contracts, and
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5% of works contracts also go to women-owned firms.
He added that in instances where bids are unresponsive, women-owned businesses will be given priority during relaunch — a move aimed at boosting fair competition and inclusion.
Institutional Reforms to Sustain Gender Equity
To ensure compliance, Yero said KADPPA has established a dedicated Gender-Responsive Department, while all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) now have Gender Desk Officers responsible for enforcing the policy across all procurement processes.
He described Governor Uba Sani’s administration as one that is “deliberately dismantling systemic discrimination against women through affirmative action and institutional reform.”
Commitment to Inclusive Governance
“The Kaduna State Government, through KADPPA, is humbled by this recognition and remains committed to advancing women’s empowerment in line with the governor’s vision for an inclusive Kaduna State,” Yero affirmed.
Context
Governor Uba Sani has consistently advocated for gender inclusion and equitable access to opportunities since assuming office. The state’s gender-responsive procurement framework aligns with Nigeria’s National Gender Policy and global best practices promoting women’s participation in governance and the economy.