Sanwo-Olu Pledges Sustained Support for Women Empowerment in Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering women through deliberate policies, strategic partnerships, and access to resources aimed at boosting their economic participation and leadership.

The Governor gave the assurance at the 2025 Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Connect Conference, themed “Investing in Lagos Women, Investing in Growth”, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island. Represented by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu said the government is focused on equipping women with tools, training, and access to finance that will enable them to build sustainable futures.

“Our mission is to support women through vocational training, access to funding, and initiatives that foster innovation, growth, and leadership, not just for the bold, but especially for widows, single mothers, young girls, and women with disabilities,” he said.

He stressed that investing in women is not an act of charity but a necessity for justice, prosperity, and economic development, adding that Lagos cannot thrive while leaving half of its population behind. The Governor highlighted the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap, recently launched by the state, which was developed from real-life to experiences of women across diverse fields and is aimed at breaking systemic barriers in entrepreneurship, agriculture, skill development, and emerging industries.

Also speaking at the event, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs. Funmi Omotoso, wife of the Commissioner for Information & Strategy, called for deeper collaborations to champion values of resilience, courage, and innovation. She pledged to continue promoting financial literacy, self-reliance, and parenting education for women across the state.

The Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation, Princess Lara Olumegbon-Oyekan, commended the resilience and impact of Lagos women, noting that investing in them directly fuels Lagos’ growth. She pledged continued legislative support for initiatives that transform lives.

In her remarks, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, emphasized that empowering women multiplies opportunities, strengthens families, expands businesses, and advances the economy. She disclosed that WAPA has trained thousands of women through its 19 Skills Acquisition Centres and various empowerment initiatives covering health, agriculture, nutrition, and gender-based violence response.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo, described WAPA Connect as a platform for building partnerships and creating opportunities for women across all sectors.

The conference brought together government officials, civil society, private sector partners, and women leaders to chart new pathways for inclusive growth and sustainable empowerment in Lagos.