The Sokoto State Government (SOSG) has joined the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) through the She’s Included initiative, in partnership with WAWU Africa, to launch Project ASHA (Advancing Sustainable Heritage and Autonomy). The project is an innovation-driven program aimed at equipping 200,000 Nigerian women with digital, entrepreneurial, and green skills across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative was officially launched at the Presidential Villa, FCT Abuja.
Representing Sokoto State at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Hon. Bashar Umar Kwabo, commended the initiative and reiterated the state government’s commitment to programs that advance women’s participation in technology, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship.
In his remarks, the Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion and Executive Secretary of PreCEFI, Dr. Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro, described Project ASHA as a transformative initiative that goes beyond training, aiming to create sustainable economic opportunities linking rural and urban women through technology and cooperative networks.
During the event, WAWU Africa presented a comprehensive six-month implementation plan for Project ASHA, structured around two major training cohorts. The plan focuses on four core pillars, Digital Skills, Green Energy, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Literacy all designed to foster self-reliance and inclusive growth among women.
Project ASHA also introduces a cooperative framework known as the “ASHA Battalion”, which enables beneficiaries to pool resources, access funding, and build viable enterprises within their communities. The model encourages mentorship, financial discipline, and long-term business sustainability.
The event was attended by senior government officials, development partners, women advocates, and representatives from the financial and digital sectors, all of whom commended the initiative as a bold step toward inclusive economic growth and social advancement in Nigeria.
Sokoto State’s participation demonstrates its commitment to national efforts on digital transformation and women’s empowerment, reflecting Governor Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto’s vision of promoting inclusive development through technology and innovation.
Muhammad Abubakar
23-10-2025
