The Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) in Ogun State has expanded its sensitisation campaign to Abeokuta North, Ipokia and Remo North Local Government Areas as the state moves to deepen women’s economic empowerment and social inclusion across more communities.
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With the addition of the three LGAs, the number of participating local governments under the programme has now increased to seven, widening access to support and economic opportunities for thousands of women across the state.
The sensitisation visits were led by the State Project Coordinator, Mrs. Bolanle Fadairo, alongside members of the State Project Coordinating Unit (SPCU), who paid courtesy visits to the leadership of the affected councils. The team met with the Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Dr. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, Chairman of Ipokia Local Government, Johnson Avoseh, and the Chairman of Remo North Local Government, Hon. Muyiwa Sodade.
Speaking during the engagements, Fadairo said the expansion followed careful consideration of the needs and peculiarities of the newly added LGAs by the World Bank and the Ogun State Government to ensure women in the areas are not left out of the initiative.
According to her, the NFWP-SU is a five-year programme being implemented in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and state ministries nationwide to improve women’s economic strength and expand access to sustainable livelihood opportunities.
“The programme is designed to strengthen women’s economic capacity, enhance access to sustainable livelihood opportunities, and build stronger community institutions,” she said.
Fadairo explained that the initiative goes beyond financial empowerment, noting that it is also focused on improving the social and economic wellbeing of women through capacity building, collective action and access to opportunities that can improve household income and community development.
She added that the programme is expected to position women as stronger contributors to local economic growth while helping families and communities become more financially stable.
The State Project Coordinator also disclosed that implementation at the grassroots level would be handled through Local Government Project Implementation Units in collaboration with Ward Facilitators selected from within the communities.
According to her, the structure was created to promote transparency, accountability, proper mobilisation and community ownership of the programme.
“The implementation of the project at the local level would be driven through the Local Government Project Implementation Unit in collaboration with selected community members known as Ward Facilitators,” she stated.
The council chairmen welcomed the initiative and described it as a major intervention capable of creating economic opportunities for women at the grassroots level.
Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Dr. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, commended the Federal Government, Ogun State Government and development partners for extending the programme to more communities.
He said empowering women economically remains one of the most effective ways to strengthen families and drive sustainable development within local communities.
Ipokia Local Government Chairman, Johnson Avoseh, also praised the initiative, noting that increased financial inclusion and support for women-owned businesses would positively impact local economies across participating communities.
The chairmen encouraged women in their respective LGAs to actively participate in the programme and take advantage of the opportunities available through the initiative.
They also urged traditional rulers, community leaders and stakeholders to support the implementation process to ensure the programme achieves its objectives at the grassroots.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Remo North Local Government, Hon. Muyiwa Sodade, revealed that about 10,000 women are expected to benefit from the programme within the council area.
Sodade expressed appreciation to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, the Federal Government and the World Bank for supporting the project and bringing it closer to women in local communities.
He also commended officials of the SPCU for their efforts in driving implementation across the state.
According to him, the programme would provide women with opportunities to improve their businesses, strengthen their livelihoods and enhance their overall wellbeing.
“This project is expected to benefit about 10,000 women across the local government, and every eligible woman in Remo North will have the opportunity to participate,” he said.
Stakeholders at the sensitisation meetings were also briefed on the objectives, implementation framework and expected outcomes of the NFWP-SU initiative.
Participants expressed optimism that the programme would contribute significantly to poverty reduction, economic growth and inclusive development across Ogun State communities, especially as more women gain access to economic support and livelihood opportunities through the project.
