Ogun State Government has launched a women empowerment initiative under the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), designed to transform the livelihoods of over 105,000 women across Ifo, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, and Ado-Odo/Ota local government areas, through improved access to finance, skills, and social capital.
Speaking at the project implementation kick-off, held at Akute in Ifo Local Government Area, on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, disclosed that the project structure would be driven by 420 Ward Facilitators, each responsible for forming ten Women Affinity Groups (WAGs).
The WAGs, a non-political group according to her, would consist of twenty five women per group, adding that the process would culminate in the establishment of 4,200 WAGs across the participating LGAs, creating a strong network of economically active women.
Adeleye, who explained the rationale for the creation of the WAGs stated that, “These Women Affinity Groups are not just gatherings, they are safe, transparent, and non-political spaces where women will learn financial literacy, entrepreneurship, savings, and investment.
“For many unbanked women, this will serve as their first connection to the formal economy, a veritable platform to save together, grow together, and rise together.”
The Commissioner noted that the new phase of the project would build on the success of the first phase implemented in Odeda, Yewa North, Ijebu North-East, and Ikenne LGAs, which earned accolades and national commendations, including recognition from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and other States of the Federation who visited to understudy.
She attributed the success to the dedication and support of governor Dapo Abiodun, his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo, and the State Project Coordinating Unit (SPCU) led by Mrs. Bolanle Fadairo, describing the team and facilitators as “the true champions of grassroots transformation.”
The commissioner canvassed for more support from the traditional rulers, community leaders, and grassroots stakeholders, saying the Scale-Up Project is not just a government program but a movement to institutionalize women’s economic empowerment across the Gateway State.
In her remarks, the State Project Coordinator, Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up, (NFWP-SU), Mrs Bolanle Fadairo, emphasized that the project being an initiative of the federal government, was being implemented across six states in the first phase, and designed to promote women’s economic empowerment through structured support systems.
She explained that the Scale-Up phase involved intensive training for facilitators and the formation of Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), small groups of 25 women each, working collectively to build financial strength and improve their livelihoods.
“The aim is for these women to rise together, scale up together, and sustain their growth through shared learning, savings, and enterprise support,” she said.
In her goodwill message, the Chairman, Akute Central Community Development Council, Moradeun Ogundele, commended the initiative, explaining that such would, improve the socio-economic condition of the beneficiaries, while promoting financial independence at the grassroots level.
