The Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues was established in August, 1977 during the regime of Late General Sani Abacha.

Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that there is co-ordinated effort at the provision of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Services to enable Vulnerable Children, Women, Less Privileged Persons and Victims of Natural Disasters in the society regain family stability, overall human capacity and Social Development.

The aim of the Ministry is to reposition service delivery in this sector and become a leading centre in Edo State where people (i.e. Vulnerable Groups, Women, Lunatics, Destitute, Physically challenged persons) with various challenges, can get palliatives that will enable them live in dignity. In August, 2021 the name was changed from Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues by His Excellency Mr. Godwine N Obaseki.