The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has launched the Olowu Hope Initiative (OHI) Women Empowerment Fund, a flagship programme designed to transform the Owu Kingdom and serve as a model for community development across Nigeria.
The initiative, founded by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, Olowu of Owu Kingdom, builds on a successful pilot scheme and is targeted at reaching more than 50,000 women in its first decade. It is part of an ambitious plan to impact one million lives through four interconnected pillars of empowerment.
At the launch, the minister praised the monarch for what she described as a practical commitment to grassroots development. She also assured that the Federal Government would stand firmly behind the project.
“It represents exactly the kind of grassroots empowerment that transforms societies. We will ensure this initiative touches the lives of every woman in Owu Kingdom and beyond,” she said.
For Oba Matemilola, the programme is about legacy and transformation. He explained that the initiative was designed to go beyond charity by providing women with the rights, resources and respect needed to build their futures.
“The Olowu Hope Initiative is not merely a programme; it is a legacy-defining movement. True empowerment does not just entail giving women rights but also the resources to shape their destinies. A world that empowers women is a world that moves forward, more just, more prosperous, and more humane,” he said.
The governance structure of the initiative is built to ensure transparency and sustainability. The Board of Trustees is led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Balogun of Owu Kingdom, serving as Grand Patron. Other members include Oba Matemilola, Dr Mutiu Sunmonu, Aare Tony Attah and Aare Chike Nwosu.
The Advisory Board, chaired by Dr Sunmonu, draws its members from sectors such as energy, business, education and community leadership. Their role is to translate the vision into long-term impact. Sunmonu explained the board’s responsibility, saying, “This is about creating lasting legacies, not short-term solutions.”
The four pillars of the initiative include microcredit and economic empowerment, vocational training, education and health. Each is backed by trustees and management teams working under the board’s direction to ensure that the project remains impactful.
At the centre of the launch is the Women Empowerment Fund, described as the “engine room” of the initiative. The fund is chaired by Dr Akintoye Akindele, with members including Stephenie Coker Rank and Olori Adijat Bamidele Matemilola. It is designed to provide interest-free loans, business support and capacity building in partnership with World Citizen. Its stated goal is to empower 50,000 women within the next five to ten years.
Akindele explained that the fund goes beyond financial support. “Our mission is to empower women with the means to grow their businesses and inspire others. This fund is an investment in Nigeria’s most untapped resource, our women. The ripple effects on our economy and society will be monumental,” he said.
The founder of the initiative noted that the pilot phase had already shown success, and with stronger governance and partnerships in place, the programme is set for greater impact. The fund will operate on a two-tier model, combining financial capital with support capital, including pro-bono services and donated goods, to increase sustainability and reach.
According to the initiative, the ripple effects of empowering 50,000 women will extend far beyond business opportunities. It is expected to boost local economies, create markets, improve family nutrition, expand access to healthcare, and enhance education for children. The organisers say the goal is to break cycles of poverty and foster generational change.
