Nigeria Reports 2,755 Gender-Based Violence Cases in 2026

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, reported that Nigeria experienced 2,755 cases of gender-based and intimate partner violence in the first four months of 2026, averaging 23 cases daily. Females represent over 81% of survivors, with sexual violence making up more than 82% of reported abuses, particularly among adolescents aged 10 to 14 years.

A proposed collaboration between the ministry, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the 'New Era Foundation', initiated by First Lady Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, aims to create a 'Patience Home' for survivors.

This facility will provide safe shelter, psychosocial support, healthcare, legal assistance, rehabilitation, and economic empowerment. The ministry will manage social services and advocacy, while the NPHCDA will oversee healthcare delivery.

The initiative also includes establishing safe spaces across all 774 local government areas and deploying 'Women on Wheels' mobile units for trauma-informed care. The NPHCDA Executive Director, Muyi Aina, emphasized that gender-based violence is a critical public health issue with significant consequences for survivors.