Ogun Plans Institutionalisation Of Abiodun’s Women Thrift Empowerment Scheme

The Ogun state government on Tuesday disclosed that plans are underway to institutionalise the state’s Women Empowerment Scheme, code-named “Oko’wo Dapo,” as a state-backed Women’s Trust Fund Policy, as part of efforts to strengthen women’s economic empowerment across the state.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Motunrayo Adijat-Adeleye, stated this during the official flag-off of the NFWP Scale-Up phase, held in Awujale Interregnum, Awujale’s Palace, Ijebu Ode.

The commissioner explained that doing so will complement the gains of the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU). This Federal Government-led women empowerment project aims to empower 105,000 women beneficiaries across the four implementing Local Government Areas of the state.

Adijat-Adeleye explained that the institutionalisation of Oko’wo Dapo would guarantee continuity, sustainability, and transparency for women-focused initiatives, ensuring that empowerment programmes remain active and impactful beyond political cycles.

She described the new policy as a strategic step to expand access to opportunities and resources for women across the state.

Expressing that the earlier establishment of the State scheme was consequent upon the success recorded in the first phase of the NFWP held in the four pioneer LGAs, Ijebu North-East, Odeda, Yewa North, and Ikenne, the Commissioner revealed that 3,792 Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) and 61 Livelihood Collectives/Hubs had been established across the four local government areas. She stated that the hubs have evolved into thriving centres for innovation, savings, skills development, and intergenerational learning, demonstrating the transformative impact of structured, community-driven empowerment programmes.

The commissioner, who announced that the Scale-Up phase targets the enrollment of no fewer than 25,000 women in Ijebu-Ode, encouraged traders, artisans, entrepreneurs, professionals, and women aged 18 and above to participate actively, noting that the facilitators for the programme were carefully selected from the local communities to ensure accessibility, proper guidance, and community ownership.

Adeleye also commended Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, for providing the political will and visionary leadership that have enabled the project’s expansion. She further praised the Multisectoral Coordination Structure, chaired by Hon. Dapo Okubadejo, for its strategic oversight, which she said has been critical to achieving the milestones of both the first phase and the Scale-Up initiative.

The commissioner emphasised that the institutionalisation of Oko’wo Dapo, together with the NFWP Scale-Up, positions Ogun State as a reference point for women-centred development initiatives nationwide. She described the move as key to sustaining socio-economic gains, expanding livelihood opportunities, and promoting inclusion for women across diverse sectors of the economy.

In his speech, the state commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo, who doubles as the Chairman of the Multisectoral Coordination Structure (MCS), posited that the Project Development Objective of the NFWP-SU aligned seamlessly with the present administration’s vision, noting that “a society that invests in women invests in sustainable development, stronger households, and inclusive growth.