Lagos inaugurates economic policy roadmap to enhance women empowerment
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, at the launch of the Women Economic Empowerment Policy Roadmap at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan. Credit: X | Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos inaugurates economic policy roadmap to enhance women empowerment
In a landmark move to deal with gender inequality and stimulate inclusive economic growth, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, launched the Women Economic Empowerment Policy Roadmap at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan.
The policy, developed by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, outlines a strategic framework aimed at dismantling systemic barriers faced by women across critical sectors such as agriculture, entrepreneurship, education, and emerging industries like technology.
“This initiative reflects our administration’s unwavering commitment to gender equity and inclusive economic growth,” Governor Sanwo-Olu declared in his keynote address.
He added, “Women constitute nearly half of our population, yet they continue to face substantial barriers in education, skill acquisition, access to finance, and participation in both traditional and emerging industries.”
The WEE Roadmap rests on five key pillars – Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Traditional Labour Market, Emerging Industries, and Education and Skill Acquisition.
It proposes targeted interventions including improved access to finance, enhanced working conditions, digital inclusion, and gender-responsive policies based on data-driven strategies.
“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 and strengthening mentorship networks,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The governor emphasised that the roadmap was shaped through extensive stakeholder engagement, involving government ministries, private sector leaders, NGOs, community representatives, and women’s groups, including persons with disabilities.
“This participatory approach helped shape a contextual and inclusive understanding of who a woman is in Lagos State.
“Her aspirations and challenges, from youth to old age, must be central to the policies we design,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu acknowledged persistent challenges such as cultural norms that deprioritise girls’ education, underrepresentation in STEM fields, and legal and infrastructural gaps in the labour market. However, he remained optimistic about the opportunities ahead.
“This roadmap is not just a document; it is a strategic tool for unlocking the full potential of the women of Lagos State,” he affirmed. “Empowering women economically does not only lift individual households, it strengthens our communities and grows our economy.”
The governor concluded with a call to action, urging all stakeholders to collaborate toward full implementation of the roadmap, “not just as a policy on paper, but a living instrument that transforms lives across Lagos.”
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, said the roadmap offered a well-defined strategy to address the systemic challenges limiting women’s participation in the economy.
“At WAPA, we see this roadmap as a launchpad to expand our vocational training programmes, strengthen micro-enterprise support, foster public-private partnerships, and drive policy advocacy for women in the informal sector.
“When we empower a woman, we uplift a household, strengthen the economy, and build a more prosperous Lagos.
“Women’s empowerment is not a women’s issue, it is a Lagos issue, a development issue, and a moral imperative,” the commissioner said.
