Ogun State has launched a new women empowerment drive under the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), targeting over 105,000 women across four local government areas, Ifo, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, and Ado-Odo/Ota, to enhance access to finance, skills, and social capital for inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Akute, Ifo Local Government, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, explained that the initiative will be driven by 420 Ward Facilitators responsible for forming 4,200 Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) across the participating councils. Each group will consist of 25 women working collectively to build financial and entrepreneurial capacity.
Adeleye said the groups were designed as non-political platforms to train women in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and savings, helping them adapt to the current economic challenges. She described the WAGs as safe and transparent spaces for women to learn, invest, and connect with the formal economy, particularly for those previously unbanked.
“The Scale-Up Project is not just a government program but a movement to institutionalise women’s economic empowerment across the Gateway State,” she said, urging traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders to support the project and encouraging beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunities provided.
The initiative builds on the success of the first phase implemented in Odeda, Yewa North, Ijebu North-East, and Ikenne LGAs, which earned commendation from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and inspired similar programs in other states.
The State Project Coordinator, Bolanle Fadairo, highlighted that the project is a Federal Government initiative being executed in six states. She noted that the Scale-Up phase includes intensive training for facilitators and the creation of new affinity groups, with participants later receiving investment grants to expand their businesses and strengthen women-led enterprises at the grassroots.
Chairman of the Akute Central Community Development Council, Moradeun Ogundele, praised the initiative for improving women’s socio-economic conditions and fostering financial independence in local communities.
