The Ogun State Government has taken a significant step toward women's economic empowerment by transforming its flagship women empowerment scheme, Oko'wo Dapo, into a permanent Women Trust Fund.
Institutionalizing Women Empowerment
During the official flag-off of the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) phase at Awujale's Palace in Ijebu-Ode, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Hon. Motunrayo Adeleye announced the strategic move. The institutionalization of Oko'wo Dapo will ensure continuity, sustainability, and transparency for women-focused initiatives beyond political cycles.
Adeleye emphasized that this policy represents a crucial step in expanding access to opportunities and resources for women across Ogun State. The decision follows the remarkable success recorded in the first phase of the NFWP implemented in four pioneer local government areas: Ijebu North-East, Odeda, Yewa North, and Ikenne.
Impressive First Phase Results
The commissioner revealed that the initial phase had already established 3,792 Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) and 61 Livelihood Collectives and Hubs across the four participating councils. These hubs have evolved into thriving centers of innovation, savings, skills development, and intergenerational learning.
According to Adeleye, these community-driven empowerment programs have demonstrated transformative impact, successfully lifting numerous women out of poverty through structured support systems.
Scale-Up Phase Targets
The current Scale-Up phase aims to enroll at least 25,000 women in Ijebu-Ode alone, with program facilitators carefully selected from local communities to ensure accessibility, proper guidance, and community ownership. The commissioner encouraged traders, artisans, entrepreneurs, professionals, and women aged 18 and above to actively participate in the initiative.
Adeleye commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for providing the necessary political will and acknowledged Commissioner for Finance Dapo Okubadejo for his strategic oversight as chairman of the Multisectoral Coordination Structure (MCS).
Aligning with Development Goals
Okubadejo, who also serves as Chief Economic Adviser, stressed that the NFWP-SU's objectives align perfectly with the administration's ISEYA mantra. He emphasized that development becomes inevitable in societies that invest in women, noting that the current administration prioritizes Women's Economic Empowerment as a key pillar for removing structural, social, and economic barriers.
The scale-up phase will significantly expand the state's capacity to reach more women, households, and communities, enabling financial growth. Okubadejo detailed that 420 Ward Facilitators will work toward forming 10 Women Affinity Groups each, with 25 members per group, ultimately resulting in 105,000 empowered women across the four implementing councils.
These beneficiaries will receive comprehensive training in Financial Education, Business Skills, Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM), and Life Skills, among other areas. The program aims to enhance entrepreneurial capabilities and increase women's contribution to the State Gross Domestic Product.
National Recognition
Micheal Ilesanmi, Senior Social Development Specialist and Task-Team Leader for the Scale-Up Project, praised the Ogun State Government's efforts, revealing that the World Bank has designated the state as a leading example among sixteen participating states for peer learning and capacity building.
State Project Coordinator Mrs. Bolanle Fadairo also commended the government's commitment to institutionalizing Oko'wo Dapo into a statewide Women Trust Fund, emphasizing that this move establishes Ogun State as a benchmark for women-centered development initiatives nationwide.
The institutionalization of Oko'wo Dapo, combined with the NFWP Scale-Up, is positioned to maintain socio-economic progress, increase livelihood opportunities, and foster greater inclusion for women across various sectors of Ogun State's economy.
