Introducing Our Keynote Speaker: Hon. Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim

HON. IMAAN SULAIMAN – IBRAHIM fsi is an international expert and thought leader in Security, Conflict Resolution, Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Development and Migration Governance.

She is driven by a passion to tackle critical and legacy issues impacting women, children, and vulnerable populations, and has dedicated her career to promoting inclusive development, stability, and social equity. This has underpinned her over two (2) decades of experience as an entrepreneur and leading critical government institutions and programmes, where she has advanced policies and programs in peacebuilding, migration management, and humanitarian interventions.

Between 2019 and 2023, she served as a member of the Nasarawa State Investment and Economic Advisory Council, where she showcased her policy acumen and strategic insight, contributing significantly to the state’s development agenda while supporting efforts that delivered over $1 billion in investments. Serving as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Partnerships to the Minister of State for Education in 2020, she championed the Alternate School Programme, which earned the commendation of the highest policy decision making body in Nigeria – the Federal Executive Council- , and continues to be a strategic initiative for reducing the number of out-of-school children in

Nigeria.

In December 2020, Hon Imaan’s exceptional leadership was recognized as she assumed the role of Director-General of The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). Within the six months, she led NAPTIP, she repositioned the Agency, and her reforms activities led to the upgrading of Nigeria from Tier 2 watchlist (which attracts sanctions) to Tier 2 status (second to highest ranking) by the US Trafficking in Persons Report. Her subsequent reappointment as Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) marked another phase of her impactful journey. In this role, she championed several innovative and impactful programmes that touched the lives of over 2 Million Persons of Concern in Nigeria.

During her time at the Commission, she was able to rally stakeholders, and facilitated the passage of the NCFRMI Act 2022 into Law after over 14 years of previous failed attempts. The Law institutionalises and strengthens the national action for the protection and assistance of Persons of Concern (PoC) in Nigeria. She also championed the zero draft of National Action plan on durable solution and The review of the Migration policy 2015.

In recognition of her reform expertise, and commitment to national security and stability, she was appointed in August 2023, as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to the Ministry of Police Affairs (State), making her the First Female Minister of Police Affairs. In this role, she rapidly rallied critical stakeholders, developed an ambitious reform roadmap, and set out a clear vision of creating a world-class Nigeria Police Force that is inclusive, community-based, intelligence-led, and technologically driven and fit for the 21st century.

This allowed for an unprecedented increase in revenue allocation to the Ministry of Police Affairs of over 1,000 percent for delivery of key initiatives. Amongst others, she also championed a strategic shift towards community policing which immensely improved the collaboration between communities and the Police, enhancing overall safety and security of communities.

Within four months of leading reforms in the Ministry of Police Affairs, she was presented with an iconic and historic symbol of peace by the German Ambassador in recognition of her efforts in promoting peace and human rights.

An Author and Publisher of various thought pieces such as books and journal publications, Hon Imaan’s contribution to knowledge creation and the advancement of society is a deep passion to which she has committed her life. Her commitment to capacity building has also recently earned her a Fellowship at the Institute for Human Capital Development. She is also a fellow of the highly revered Nigeria Security Institute, a Certified Personnel Management Professional, and a Certified SAP HCM Consultant, amongst other certifications.

Despite her busy schedules, her undying commitment to building the capacities of the next generation of leaders and nation builders led her to accept to serve as a visiting lecturer at the Sultan Maccido Institute for Peace, Leadership, and Development Studies in the University of Abuja, where she teaches postgraduate students about global migration governance and national security. As a figure of global influence, Hon. Imaan extends her pursuit of knowledge and its dissemination beyond the borders of Nigeria and the African continent.

She also serves as a visiting lecturer at the University of Rome in Italy, contributing her expertise and insights to an international academic audience.

Imaan holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Abuja, and a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master’s of Art in Management (MA), both from Webster University, St Louis, Missouri(London Campus). Further demonstrating a relentless thirst for learning and a fervent passion for advancing national security, she is presently engaged in pursuing a Doctoral degree in Security and Strategic Studies at the prestigious Nigeria Defence Academy.

With numerous awards locally and internationally under her belt in recognition of her dedication to impactful change, Imaan is currently leveraging her expertise to champion the rights and welfare of women, children, and vulnerable populations. As the Minister of Women Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, she is working tirelessly to create a future where every woman, child, and marginalized person in Nigeria can thrive with purpose, equality and opportunity.