ABUJA, NIGERIA — In an unexpected move that injected massive high-level momentum into Nigeria’s peacebuilding and gender equality framework, the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON, made a surprise appearance in Abuja on Thursday, September 24, 2026, to formally unveil WANEP-Nigeria’s ground-breaking UNSCR 1325 Action Lab and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Localisation Monitoring and Assessment Framework.

​The Minister’s unexpected attendance thrilled an enthusiastic gathering of over 30 key stakeholders, including top representatives from UN Women, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, key government institutions, civil society organisations (CSOs), development partners, and prominent WPS networks.

​The high-profile event served as both a celebration and a strategic work session, enabling stakeholders to evaluate progress on the WPS agenda while forging stronger pathways for monitoring, accountability, and resource allocation across Nigeria.

​A Bold Step for Evidence-Based Accountability

​Senator Bagudu officially performed the symbolic unveiling, launching a tool designed to revolutionize how Women, Peace and Security commitments translate into real, measurable impact.

​The UNSCR 1325 Action Lab directly addresses a critical gap in Nigeria’s peacebuilding architecture: the need for a standardized, consistent system to measure real-world implementation. The lab will:

• ​Track progress and identify systemic implementation gaps across states.
• ​Pinpoint emerging peace and security issues affecting women and communities.
• ​Document best practices and generate rigorous evidence to support advocacy, policy, and national planning.

​By moving beyond merely logging commitments on paper, the Action Lab evaluates what is actively being implemented, what financial and material resources are backing these efforts, and what tangible changes are happening on the ground.

​Grassroots to Governance: Expanding WPS Localisation

​Beyond tracking State Action Plans (SAPs) and National Action Plans (NAPs), the new framework adopts a comprehensive approach to “WPS localisation.” It is engineered to capture a broader spectrum of action—including grassroots community initiatives, institutional reforms, local policy changes, and social services that drive peace and gender security forward.

​Speaking during the ceremony, WANEP-Nigeria’s National Network Coordinator, Bridget Osakwe, commended the unwavering commitment of civil society partners, women, and youth networks whose collaborative efforts helped develop and validate the framework.

​“Advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda requires strong collective action,” Osakwe emphasized, underscoring that the Action Lab unites government, development partners, and grassroots communities under a shared evidence-based system to ensure promises turn into lasting impact.

Bridging Peacebuilding with National Planning

​The Minister’s active involvement opened crucial dialogues on the intersection of peace, national security, economic planning, and resource allocation. Senator Bagudu expressed strong willingness to partner with WANEP-Nigeria, signaling a potential shift toward aligning national budgetary frameworks with peacebuilding priorities.

​The unveiling event featured detailed technical presentations outlining the Action Lab’s design, core indicators, verification standards, and rollout strategy.

​With its formal launch complete, the Action Lab transitions from development into full operation. WANEP-Nigeria and its network of partners will now focus on deploying the tool nationwide to strengthen coordination, drive institutional accountability, and ensure women remain central to Nigeria’s peace and security narrative.