The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) to improve access to funding, financial literacy, and enterprise support for women across Lagos State.
This assurance was given by the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of LSETF, Mrs. Feyisayo Alayande, and her team to the Ministry on Tuesday, 10th February 2026.
Welcoming the LSETF delegation, Hon. Dada appreciated the Executive Secretary for sustaining empowerment efforts through programmes that support entrepreneurs, artisans, and small business owners across the State. She described the renewed collaboration as strategic and long overdue, especially in advancing the economic growth of women.
The Commissioner disclosed that WAPA currently operates 19 Skills Acquisition Centres (SACs) across Lagos State, alongside the Women Development Centre. She explained that the centres run structured curricula developed by the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), ensuring that trainees receive standardised and practical training.
She urged LSETF to align some of its capacity-building initiatives with the Ministry’s training framework so that students would better understand funding requirements before completing their programmes.
“We want our students to understand the requirements for accessing support before graduation. While the Ministry strives to provide start-up equipment to our graduates, it is not always possible to meet every need. LSETF can complement our efforts by engaging and supporting some of our graduates through structured funding and business support initiatives,” she stated.
Hon. Dada also highlighted WAPA’s life skills and empowerment platforms designed for vulnerable groups. These include programmes for faith-based organisations, parents of out-of-school children, wives of military personnel, retiring civil servants, among others. She encouraged LSETF to explore collaboration within these platforms to expand impact and reach more beneficiaries.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of LSETF, Mrs. Feyisayo Alayande, commended WAPA for its transparency, openness, and consistent dedication to women’s empowerment. She stressed the importance of creating greater visibility for LSETF programmes, particularly among women trained at WAPA centres.
Mrs. Alayande disclosed that the LSETF application portal has recently been reopened. She encouraged intending applicants to register and ensure they have the required documentation, including LASRRA ID, LIRS Tax Identification Number (TIN), National Identification Number (NIN), and Bank Verification Number (BVN).
She further proposed the introduction of structured financial literacy and bookkeeping sessions for beneficiaries and intending applicants as part of broader business development and company-building support.
According to her, improving financial literacy will strengthen loan performance, business sustainability, and market access for women entrepreneurs. She explained that when business owners understand record-keeping and financial management, they are better positioned to grow and repay loans responsibly.
The Executive Secretary also noted that LSETF has previously supported women in non-traditional trades, including female tilers. She expressed readiness to collaborate with WAPA in identifying and recommending qualified trainees for future opportunities. She referenced past “on-the-spot” loan interventions and reiterated LSETF’s commitment to ensuring that its programmes effectively benefit WAPA graduates.
Both agencies agreed to work together in organising sensitisation and financial education sessions across WAPA’s Skills Acquisition Centres. These sessions will guide potential applicants on eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, bookkeeping practices, and strategies for accessing markets.
The meeting also explored areas of partnership ahead of the forthcoming International Women’s Day celebration. Both parties committed to leveraging the platform to expand economic empowerment opportunities for women in Lagos State.
The strengthened collaboration between WAPA and LSETF reflects the Lagos State Government’s commitment under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to promote inclusive economic growth, enhance financial independence, and reduce poverty among women and vulnerable groups.
Present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of WAPA, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo, Directors of the Ministry, and the Director of Programme and Coordination, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Ms. Oyindamola Egbeyemi.
