Ogun State Government has announced a major step to strengthen women’s economic empowerment by institutionalizing the State Women Empowerment Scheme, known as Oko’wo Dapo, as a State-backed Women’s Trust Fund Policy. The move was disclosed during the official flag-off of the NFWP Scale-Up phase held at Awujale Interregnum, Awujale’s Palace in Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday.
The initiative is designed to promote financial inclusion, business development, and long-term support for women across the State, aligning with wider economic growth and poverty reduction plans.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, explained that turning Oko’wo Dapo into a formal policy would ensure continuity, sustainability, and transparency. She said the goal is to keep women-focused initiatives active and impactful regardless of political changes. According to her, the policy is a strategic way to expand access to business opportunities, digital finance, skills development, and other essential resources that support women’s economic stability.
Adeleye highlighted that the initial success of the NFWP first phase influenced the expansion. The programme recorded significant results in the four pioneer LGAs: Ijebu North-East, Odeda, Yewa North, and Ikenne. She revealed that 3,792 Women Affinity Groups and 61 Livelihood Collectives or hubs had been established across these areas. These hubs now serve as centers for innovation, savings support, entrepreneurship training, and intergenerational learning, showing how structured community-driven initiatives can transform local economies and household incomes.
The Commissioner announced that the Scale-Up phase aims to enroll no fewer than 25,000 women in Ijebu-Ode alone. She encouraged traders, artisans, entrepreneurs, professionals, and women aged 18 and above to join the programme. She added that facilitators were selected from local communities to ensure proper guidance, accessibility, and a sense of ownership among participants.
She emphasized that institutionalizing Oko’wo Dapo alongside the NFWP Scale-Up places Ogun State at the forefront of women-centered development nationwide, helping to expand livelihood opportunities and promote inclusion across different economic sectors.
State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo, who also chairs the Multisectoral Coordination Structure, stated that the Project Development Objective of the NFWP-SU fits perfectly with the administration’s economic vision. He said, “a society that invests in women invests in sustainable development, stronger households, and inclusive growth.”
He noted that the administration has consistently treated Women’s Economic Empowerment as a central pillar for removing social and economic barriers affecting women’s full participation in economic activities. Commending the State Project Coordinator, Mrs. Bolanle Fadairo, he added that the scale-up would expand the State’s capacity to reach more women, more households, and more communities.
Senior Social Development Specialist and Task-Team Leader for the Scale-Up Project, Micheal Ilesanmi, praised the State’s performance during the first phase. He noted that the World Bank designated Ogun as a leading State, which led to about sixteen States seeking peer-learning and capacity building.
Ilesanmi applauded Governor Abiodun and the Commissioners for Finance and Women Affairs, saying their guidance and coordination strengthened the entire project cycle. He expressed confidence that the State would exceed its targets in the scale-up phase.
