- Sanwo-Olu Unveils Lagos Women Economic Empowerment Policy Roadmap
- Sanwo-Olu says the policy will serve as a practical tool for transforming the lives of women across Lagos
- Dada stated that the launch of the policy signifies a shared commitment to dismantle barriers
As part of his administration’s commitment to removing obstacles that hinder the full potential of women, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday unveiled the Lagos State Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the WEE Policy Roadmap, launched at the Muson Centre in Lagos, was developed by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. It serves as a strategic and progressive framework aimed at tackling the systemic challenges faced by women.
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Speaking at the launch, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the initiative reflects his administration’s strong dedication to promoting gender equity and inclusive economic development.
He pledged that the WEE Policy Roadmap would not remain just a policy document but would serve as a practical tool for transforming the lives of women across Lagos.
The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with state ministries, development partners, the private sector, and civil society to ensure the policy’s effective implementation.
He said: “The Lagos State WEE Policy Roadmap, developed by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, is a strategic, forward-thinking framework designed to address these systemic challenges. This roadmap aligns not only with our state’s developmental agenda but also with national policy frameworks and global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The development of this roadmap was underpinned by a robust stakeholder engagement process. From government ministries, departments, and agencies, including the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Ministry of Tertiary Education, and Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, to non-governmental organisations, private sector players, community leaders, and women’s groups across the state, including women with disabilities, we ensured that no voice was left unheard.
“This participatory approach helped shape a contextual and inclusive understanding of who a woman is in Lagos State: a woman is not only defined by her biology but also by her social, cultural, and economic realities. Her aspirations and challenges, from youth to old age, must be central to the policies we design.
“This roadmap is not just a document; it is a strategic tool for unlocking the full potential of the women of Lagos State. Empowering women economically does not only lift individual households; it strengthens our communities, grows our economy, and secures a prosperous future for generations to come.
“I urge every stakeholder to come together with purpose and conviction. Through true collaboration, we will shape a Lagos that stands as a beacon of inclusion, equity, and economic empowerment—a city where every woman is not only welcomed but actively empowered to realise her full potential and lead the way to lasting progress.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu further explained that the roadmap aims to tap into opportunities across various sectors, including agriculture, entrepreneurship, the traditional labour market, emerging industries, education, and skill acquisition.
“In agriculture, we aim to increase women’s access to digital tools, e-commerce platforms, and targeted financing to grow agribusinesses and connect them to broader markets.
“In entrepreneurship, the roadmap recommends designing gender-friendly financial services, simplifying access to capital, and strengthening mentorship networks.
“For women in the traditional labour market, we plan to improve working conditions, enforce labour laws, promote family-friendly policies, and expand digital tools that ease access to market information.
“In emerging industries, especially STEM and digital technology, we will incentivise companies to hire and train women and roll out skill-building programmes to close the gender gap.
“In education and skill acquisition, we are working with partners to offer targeted scholarships, flexible learning opportunities, and vocational training aligned with high-growth industries such as renewable energy, healthcare, and ICT,” he said.
Earlier, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, described the policy roadmap as a bold and significant move toward tackling the challenges confronting women in Nigeria.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that full implementation of the policy has the potential to empower women meaningfully.
She also highlighted the importance of domesticating the policy at all levels and encouraged women to remain focused and committed.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who was represented by Mrs Agnes Abraham, said, “Lagos is a beacon of diversity and development. Lagos reflects the possibility of gender inclusivity. As we launch the Lagos State Women Economic Empowerment, I urge you to increase budget allocation for women empowerment.”
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, stated that the launch of the policy signifies a shared commitment to dismantle barriers, create more opportunities, and strengthen the economic power of women throughout Lagos State.
She noted that the roadmap is designed to challenge and eliminate gender stereotypes that limit women’s involvement in high-growth and non-traditional sectors.
“This roadmap offers a well-defined strategy to address the systemic challenges limiting women’s participation in the economy, from limited access to finance and skills to gender-based constraints in both traditional and emerging sectors,” she said.
Mrs. Bolaji Dada revealed that the policy was developed through a thorough 12-month domestication process, enriched by stakeholder consultations.
She noted that the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has produced a policy that is practical, inclusive, and reflective of the voices of all segments of the female population, including market women (Iyalojas), professionals, and women living with disabilities.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, praised the Governor for his focus on inclusion and social protection.
She called for active collaboration between the government and key stakeholders to ensure the full implementation of the Lagos State Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap.
Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon, affirmed that state lawmakers are committed to supporting the policy’s implementation to promote the growth and development of women.
Also speaking at the event, United Nations (UN) Women Country Representative, Beatrice Eyong, emphasized that economic empowerment is the foundation for genuine empowerment of women.
“When women are empowered, they can do more than expected. This is more than just a policy declaration; it is a bold declaration of intent. It signifies a Lagos where every woman and girl has to thrive,” she said.
