SANWO-OLU LAUNCHES WEE POLICY ROADMAP TO BREAK BARRIERS ON WOMEN POTENTIALS
In line with his administration’s commitment to break the barriers hindering the realisation of women’s potential, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, unveiled the Lagos State Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap.
The WEE Policy Roadmap launched at Muson Centre in Lagos is developed by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as a strategic, forward-thinking framework designed to address the systemic challenges faced by womenfolk.
Speaking during the launching of the policy roadmap document, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the initiative reflects his administration’s unwavering commitment to gender equity and inclusive economic growth.
Governor Sanwo-Olu promised that his administration will ensure that the WEE Policy Roadmap is not just a policy on paper but a living instrument that transforms lives across Lagos.
The Governor assured that his government will continue to work collaboratively with all state ministries, partners, the private sector, and civil society to ensure the successful implementation of the policy roadmap.
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.”
Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the roadmap seeks to harness opportunities in 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.
Speaking earlier, Lagos State First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, said the policy roadmap is a bold step in addressing challenges facing women in Nigeria.
Dr Sanwo-Olu said the policy roadmap, if fully implemented, will empower women. She said domestication of the policy is very important and also urged women to stay focused.
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.”
Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Bolaji Dada, said the launching of the policy is an affirmation of a collective resolve to break barriers, expand opportunities, and elevate the economic power of women across Lagos State.
She disclosed that the roadmap would break down gender stereotypes that inhibit women’s participation in high-growth and non-traditional industries.
“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.
Dada disclosed that through a rigorous 12-month domestication process enriched by stakeholder dialogues, the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has developed a policy that is practical, people-driven, and inclusive of every segment of the female population, including the Iyalojas, professionals, and women living with disabilities.
In her address, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for inclusion and social protection.
He called for collaboration from government and major stakeholders to ensure that the Lagos State Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap is fully implemented.
The Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon, said the state lawmakers will support the implementation of the policy roadmap for women’s growth and development.
Also speaking, the United Nations (UN) Women Country Representative, Beatrice Eyong, said economic empowerment of women is the entry point for real empowerment. “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.
