…To drive women-led innovation in health, climate resilience.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Pathfinder International Nigeria has launched what it termed as, “Women&Co Nigeria,” a groundbreaking platform aimed at advancing women-led solutions at the intersection of health, climate resilience, and economic empowerment.
Senior Media and Communications Officer, Bayo Ewuola, in a press statement shared Thursday, stated that the initiative is built on Pathfinder’s six-decade legacy of “improving health outcomes and promoting gender equity in Nigeria.”
Written by Folarin Kehinde, according to the statement, “With Women&Co, the organization seeks to place women at the center of innovation, equipping them with the capital, partnerships, and influence needed to create lasting change in their communities.”
Regional Portfolio Director at Pathfinder International, Dr Amina Aminu Dorayi, noted that, “Across Nigeria, women are already solving some of the toughest challenges in their homes, communities, and workplaces.”
Dorayi emphasized that “Women&Co is about amplifying that ingenuity, putting women in the driver’s seat to design the innovations and systems that will shape our nation’s future in health, climate and development.
“This is not just a conversation; it is a call to action. By centering women’s leadership in innovation and development, Nigeria can accelerate progress towards equity, resilience, and prosperity for all,” she added.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health, Dr. Adanna Steinacker, noted that the initiative aligns closely with Nigeria’s national agenda to promote women’s health, equity, and leadership.
“The mission of Women&Co strongly resonates with our priorities, by building a community where women lead solutions across health, climate change, entrepreneurship, and governance. Women&Co embodies the kind of collaboration and creativity our nation needs to renew systems and unlock new possibilities,” she stated.
The Nigerian launch follows the platform’s global unveiling at the United Nations General Assembly, in September 2025. Women&Co brings together cross-sectoral female leaders in health, climate, entrepreneurship, governance, and finance to co-create solutions that can scale both locally and globally.
The inaugural Women&Co convening in Abuja brought together women from diverse sectors and backgrounds to assess the current landscape of women’s leadership and decision-making in Nigeria.
Participants discussed barriers to access, particularly around capital and opportunity, and charted strategies to accelerate women-led innovation nationwide.