Sanwo-Olu Unveils Economic Empowerment Roadmap To Unlock Women’s Potential

Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,has unveiled an economic empowerment roadmap to break barriers hindering women’s potential in the state.

In his address yesterday at the launch of the Lagos State Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) policy roadmap, the governor explained that five key pillars – agriculture, entrepreneurship, traditional labour market, emerging industries, education, and skill acquisition – are at the heart of the roadmap.

Sanwo-Olu said, “It gives me great pleasure to join you today at the official launch of the Lagos State Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap, an initiative that reflects our administration’s unwavering commitment to gender equity and inclusive economic growth.

“Lagos State, as we know, is Nigeria’s economic powerhouse, teeming with opportunities across various sectors. However, despite our economic vibrancy, women, who constitute nearly half of our population, continue to face substantial barriers in education, skill acquisition, access to finance, and participation in both traditional and emerging industries, including agriculture and technology.”

The Governor further noted that, “Today’s event marks a pivotal step in changing that narrative. 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).

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“It also proposes innovative solutions that challenge socio-cultural barriers and implement gender-responsive governance based on data-driven strategies.

“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.

Also speaking, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for advancing support for Nigerian women.

The minister, who was represented by Mrs. Agnes Abraham, said, “I am happy to be in Lagos. 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’s empowerment. WEE is not a standalone instrument; it aligns with Nigeria’s development plan,” she stated.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Hon Bolaji Cecilia Dada, said, “Today is not just the unveiling of a policy; it is the affirmation of a collective resolve to break barriers, expand opportunities, and elevate the economic power of women across Lagos State.

“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.”