The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) has launched the Purple Book, a policy guide aimed at advancing gender equity and social inclusion in Nigeria. The publication consolidates key insights and recommendations from the 2025 Gender and Inclusion Summit (GS-25) and outlines practical pathways for strengthening gender-responsive governance and expanding opportunities for women, youth, and marginalized groups.
The launch, held in Abuja, brought together policymakers, development partners, private sector leaders, and civil society representatives. Attendees engaged in high-level discussions on the 2026 Tax Reforms, addressing how the ongoing tax reforms can expand economic opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre, said the publication reflects a collective effort to translate dialogue on inclusion into actionable policy recommendations.
“The conversations we had today in the room are why the Gender and Inclusion Summit exist. After the summit, we don’t allow the conversations to end there. Our real burden is to ensure that we can translate every insight from the summit into real solutions,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Mr. Albert Folorunsho, a member of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, stressed that tax reform success goes beyond revenue to fairness and inclusion.
Mr. Albert Folorunsho of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee delivering keynote address at the launch
“The Purple Book reminds us that tax reform is not simply about revenue - it is about fairness, opportunity, and national development, and it must unlock potential. When a tax system works for women, youth, and informal workers, it works for the entire economy, and it becomes a cornerstone of Nigeria’s broader economic reform agenda” Albert said.
Echoing these points, in her remarks, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, MFR, Board Member of the Policy Innovation Centre, emphasized the need for a more inclusive and equitable tax system.
“A modern tax system must go beyond revenue generation to ensure fairness, support enterprise, and expand opportunity for all Nigerians, especially women, youth, and those in the informal sector,” she said.
The launch also received goodwill messages from partners including the Luminate, Pathfinder International, Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, who reaffirmed their commitment to advancing gender equity and inclusive development through collaborative action.
L-R: Mrs. Maryam Uwais, MFR, Board Member of the Policy Innovation Centre; Mr. Uche Ossai, Social Development Specialist, World Bank; Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre,
Stakeholders noted that the Purple Book is expected to inform ongoing policy discussions and strengthen efforts to integrate gender and social inclusion into national development priorities, as preparations begin for the next edition of the Gender and Inclusion Summit in 2026, themed “Making Innovation Count for the Last Mile”
About the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC)
The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) is the first national institutionalised behavioural initiative in Africa supporting government and stakeholders to make behaviourally informed decisions and generate evidence for impact driven interventions in critical thematic areas. The Policy Innovation Centre is an initiative of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), a leading think tank in Africa redefining evidence-based policy advocacy.
Signed
Omofuoma Agharite,
Strategic Communications Lead,
Policy Innovation Centre
