The federal government says it'll establish dedicated safe spaces for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the country.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, announced the plan on Wednesday in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between her ministry and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in partnership with the New Era Foundation.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the safe spaces are part of a National Action Plan on GBV being developed to improve access to care, protection and justice for survivors.

“A core component of this upcoming national action plan is the strategic establishment of dedicated safe spaces across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria to decentralise immediate care and protection,” she said.

The centres will let survivors get immediate support, referral services and protection closer to their communities, without having to travel long distances.

The government is also working on setting up regional mega-protection centres that will provide medical, legal, psychosocial and rehabilitation services all in one place.

“These centres will provide medical, legal, psychosocial and rehabilitation services under one roof to support recovery and access to justice,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.

Mobile support teams will also be deployed under the Women on Wheels initiative to reach underserved communities with trauma-informed care and psychosocial support.

The minister revealed worrying numbers: between January and April 2026, 2,755 cases of gender-based violence and intimate partner violence were documented in Nigeria.

That's an average of about 23 reported cases every single day.

Women and girls made up more than 81% of survivors, and sexual violence accounted for 82% of all recorded cases.

But only 4% of formally reported cases have resulted in successful prosecution.

“This is a wake-up call. We must move beyond prevention to protection, rehabilitation and access to justice for survivors,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.

Muyi Aina, CEO of NPHCDA, described GBV as a major public health and human rights challenge. He said survivors often suffer physical injuries, psychological trauma and long-term social consequences.

“Gender-based violence leaves deep physical, emotional and social scars on survivors and their families,” he said.

The partnership will provide survivors with healthcare, counselling, legal support, rehabilitation and empowerment opportunities.

Patricia Otuedon-Arawore, Trustee of the New Era Foundation, said the foundation’s Patients’ Home in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, will serve as a rehabilitation centre for survivors.

The facility was originally built to support vulnerable women through temporary shelter and empowerment, but it's now being repositioned into a safe recovery space for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.

“The facility is now being repositioned to offer safety, recovery and hope to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Esuabana Nko-Asanye, said no single institution can tackle GBV alone, and partnerships like this are critical to protecting vulnerable women and girls.

  • 2,755 GBV cases reported in Nigeria between January and April 2026
  • 23 cases reported daily on average
  • Women and girls: 81% of survivors
  • Sexual violence: 82% of cases
  • Only 4% of formal cases led to prosecution
  • Safe spaces planned for all 774 LGAs
  • Regional mega-protection centres also in the works