Sanwo-Olu Reiterates Support for Women’s Empowerment in Innovation and Leadership

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting women’s innovation, leadership, and economic empowerment through impactful policies and strategic partnerships.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation’s flagship conference, WAPA Connect, themed “Investing in Lagos Women, Investing in Growth”, Sanwo-Olu—represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat—said the initiative reflects the government’s vision for an inclusive and prosperous Lagos.

“WAPA Connect Conference is our flagship 2025 event, uniting government officials, civil society, private sector partners, and everyday women across Lagos. This year’s theme underscores our strong commitment to making policies practical and impactful, ensuring measurable outcomes for women’s empowerment across Lagos State,” he said.

The governor highlighted the recent launch of the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap, designed to dismantle barriers to women’s economic participation and integrate them more fully into the state’s economy.

“Our aim is to advance the WEE Roadmap by executing programmes that benefit women and girls while integrating them into Lagos’ economy. We are committed to improving data on women’s participation while strengthening alliances with NGOs, women-led organisations, and other stakeholders,” Sanwo-Olu added.

Commissioner for WAPA, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, described the programme as a platform for women to connect, collaborate, and explore opportunities across industries and generations.

“This theme reminds us that empowering women transforms lives, multiplies opportunities, strengthens families, expands businesses, and drives growth in Lagos State’s economy. Every naira invested in a woman is an investment in her family, business, and the broader economy,” she said.

Dada also highlighted key empowerment programmes initiated under Sanwo-Olu’s administration, including the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), the Life Skills and Economic Empowerment Programme (LEEP), and Invest in Women in Agriculture.

She noted that the Purple Project, which supports survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, has provided counselling, legal aid, and empowerment tools to help women rebuild their lives.

According to her, WAPA’s skills acquisition centres have graduated 28,913 trainees, with 70% of MESI beneficiaries receiving work tools. At the Avia farm in Badagry, 5,494 women have been trained in cassava cultivation, vegetable farming, palm oil production, and fish farming.

“These initiatives are not only strengthening food security but also creating employment opportunities across Lagos State,” she said, praising the government’s continued support for placing women at the heart of development.

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