Lagos: Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to impactful policies and partnerships empowering women in innovation and leadership roles. Sanwo-Olu stated this at the Lagos State Ministry of Women and Poverty Alleviation’s flagship conference, ‘WAPA Connect,’ held in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the theme of the conference is ‘Investing in Lagos Women, Investing in Growth.’ Represented by his Deputy, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the event reflects his administration’s vision for an inclusive, innovative, and prosperous Lagos. He described the WAPA Connect Conference as the flagship 2025 event, bringing together government officials, civil society, private sector partners, and women from various communities across Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the state recently launched the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap, which aligns with the agenda to dismantle systemic barriers to women’s economic participation. The aim is to advance the WEE Roadmap by executing programmes that benefit women and girls while integrating them into Lagos’ economy. The state is committed to improving data on women’s participation and strengthening alliances with NGOs, women-led organisations, and stakeholders delivering effective empowerment programmes.
He commended the Commissioner and WAPA staff for their dedication to engaging women and girls through empowerment initiatives. Earlier, Mrs Bolaji Dada, Commissioner for WAPA, described the programme as a platform for women from all backgrounds to connect, network, and explore opportunities. She noted that the theme highlights the benefits society derives when women are empowered and supported.
Dada stressed that every naira invested in a woman is an investment in growth for her family, business, and the wider state economy. She highlighted that since Sanwo-Olu’s administration began, WAPA has empowered vulnerable women through skills acquisition initiatives such as the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), Life Skills and Economic Empowerment Programme (LEEP), and Invest in Women in Agriculture.
She mentioned that WAPA’s ‘Purple Project’ supports survivors of domestic and gender-based violence with counselling, legal aid, and empowerment support. Since inception, 28,913 students have graduated from skills acquisition centres, with 70 per cent 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, strengthening food security and creating employment opportunities in Lagos State.