On March 3, 2025, Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, Ph.D., founder of Safe Haven Foundation, joined other distinguished speakers, invited guests, and participants at the 2nd Annual Conference of Commissioners of State Ministries of Women Affairs.
The conference, organized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs with support from the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Program, implemented by International IDEA, took place at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025.
This year’s conference, themed “Sub-National Policy and Practice for Enhancing Rights, Protection, and Justice for Women, Children, and Persons with Disabilities,” is part of RoLAC’s ongoing efforts to support Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries of State Ministries of Women Affairs in strengthening policies and interventions that enhance access to justice and social support services for vulnerable populations across Nigeria.
During the event, Professor Waziri-Azi delivered a compelling presentation titled “Achieving Efficient Public Service Delivery: A Case Study of a Failed Public Service Delivery Intervention.” She provided an in-depth analysis of the core principles of effective public service delivery while highlighting key challenges that often hinder successful implementation. Drawing from her experience as the former Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), she examined a real-world case study of a policy intervention that fell short of its objectives and distilled valuable lessons to guide future policymaking and implementation.
Her presentation emphasized the importance of accountability, evidence-based decision-making, and survivor-centered approaches to ensure that every policy, program, and service delivers meaningful impact. She concluded with a strong call to action for stakeholders to prioritize efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in public service delivery.
The interactive conference brought together Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and Directors of State Ministries of Women Affairs from all 36 states and the FCT, fostering critical discussions and strategic collaborations aimed at advancing the rights and protection of women, children, and persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
