The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to advancing women’s economic participation, stressing that deliberate investment in women is crucial to inclusive growth and prosperity.
Speaking at the 2025 edition of WAPA Connect, the flagship conference of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Hamzat said the recently launched Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap is designed to dismantle barriers that limit women and girls from contributing fully to the economy.
“This year’s theme underscores our strong commitment to making policies practical and impactful, ensuring measurable outcomes for women’s empowerment. Investing in women is not just charity it is about economics, justice and prosperity,” Hamzat said.
He explained that the roadmap, developed from real-life experiences of Lagos women, will expand opportunities in entrepreneurship, agriculture, skill acquisition, the traditional labour market and emerging industries. The state, he added, is prioritising partnerships with women-led organisations and the private sector, while improving data collection to guide interventions.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, described WAPA Connect as a platform for women from all backgrounds to connect, network and explore opportunities. She highlighted the ministry’s achievements, including the graduation of 28,913 students from 19 free skills acquisition centres, 17,213 beneficiaries under the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative, and 18,241 women trained through the Life Skills and Economic Empowerment Programme.
She added that over 5,494 women benefitted from agricultural programmes in Badagry, while more than 5,500 widows received grants and empowerment packages. Over 28,000 sanitary pads have been distributed to schoolgirls, and the Purple Project continues to provide shelters, psychosocial counselling and legal aid for survivors of gender-based violence across 57 councils.
Wife of the Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs. Funmi Omotoso, commended the commissioner for sustaining the conference and placing women at the centre of the state’s development agenda.
