Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing policies and partnerships that will empower women across the state to take bold steps in leadership and innovation. He made this known at the 2025 Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation WAPA Connect Conference held at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island. The event was themed “Investing in Lagos Women, Investing in Growth.”
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu explained that the Lagos State government is focused on creating strong partnerships and crafting evidence-based policies aimed at producing visible and measurable results for women. According to him, the government’s mission is to provide women with essential tools, vocational training, and access to finance to help them grow sustainable businesses and achieve economic independence.
“Our mission is to equip women and their organisations with the necessary tools, training, and access to finance, enabling them to build sustainable futures, grow their businesses, and thrive. Our administration is supporting 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.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that investing in women is not just a charitable act but a crucial step towards economic growth and social justice. He added that no society can truly prosper if half of its population is excluded from progress. “That is why Lagos is dedicated to this journey: intentional, ongoing, and inclusive,” the Governor stated.
He highlighted that the WAPA Connect Conference serves as a platform where government officials, civil society organisations, private sector stakeholders, and women across Lagos come together to turn strategic plans into action. He also revealed that the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap was recently launched to address challenges faced by women in different sectors, including entrepreneurship, agriculture, skill development, and emerging industries.
“This roadmap is our commitment to breaking down the systemic barriers that hinder women’s economic participation and to creating vast opportunities in entrepreneurship, skill development, traditional job markets, agriculture, and emerging industries. We are building on the successes of previous initiatives like our vocational training programmes and life-skills empowerment events, such as ‘WAPA takes Empowerment to Ibeju-Lekki, and much more,’” he explained.
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs. Funmi Omotoso, wife of the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, called for stronger collaborations to promote resilience, hope, courage, and innovation among women in Lagos and across Nigeria. She said her office will continue to focus on promoting financial literacy, encouraging self-reliance, and offering support to women through initiatives that also benefit families.
“The Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy roadmap is built on real-life experiences of women from all walks of life. This roadmap is our commitment, breaking down these technical barriers that hinder women from being able to participate and creating vast opportunities in entrepreneurship, field development, traditional health markets, agriculture, and the mining industries,” she added.
Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation, and Wealth Creation, Princess Lara Olumegbon-Oyekan, also spoke at the event, commending the resilience and creativity of women in Lagos. She noted that women play a vital role in shaping families, communities, economies, and nations.
“Investing in Lagos women is investing in Lagos’ growth, and together, we must ensure no woman is left behind,” she said. Olumegbon-Oyekan pledged that the House Committee would continue to support initiatives that bring meaningful and lasting changes to the lives of women.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, emphasized that empowering women is a key driver of economic development. She explained that when individual lives are transformed, it creates a ripple effect that strengthens families, expands businesses, and grows the economy.
According to her, the Ministry, through its 19 Skills Acquisition Centres and various empowerment initiatives, has trained and supported thousands of women with vocational skills, business tools, and access to resources. She highlighted that these programmes cover areas such as health, nutrition, agriculture, and responses to gender-based violence.
“Through WAPA, we continue to transform lives and strengthen the role of women in Lagos State’s development. Lagos cannot grow without women, and women cannot thrive without deliberate investment,” she said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo, in her welcome address, described the WAPA Connect Conference as a hub for collaboration and progress. She said the event provides a platform for women, entrepreneurs, and professionals to connect, share ideas, and create opportunities for inclusion in the state’s growth agenda.
“WAPA Connect has become a vibrant platform where ideas are shared, partnerships are built, and opportunities are created. It is a space where women from all walks of life come together to inspire one another and to chart pathways for greater inclusion in our state’s growth story. Through empowerment programmes, skill acquisition centres, micro-enterprise support, and advocacy, we continue to expand possibilities for women and vulnerable groups across the state,” Onigbanjo stated.
