By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.
The Ogun State Government has unveiled plans to institutionalise the State Women Empowerment Scheme, Oko’wo Dapo, transforming it into a state-backed Women’s Trust Fund Policy aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment across the state.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, announced this on Tuesday during the official flag-off of the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) Scale-Up phase, held at the Awujale Interregnum, Awujale’s Palace, Ijebu-Ode.
Adeleye stated that formalising Oko’wo Dapo as a policy would ensure continuity, sustainability, and transparency in women-focused programmes, protecting them from political transitions while expanding access to resources and opportunities for women.
She noted that the success of the programme’s initial phase, implemented in Ijebu North-East, Odeda, Yewa North, and Ikenne, led to the establishment of 3,792 Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) and 61 Livelihood Collectives/Hubs. These hubs, she said, have become thriving centres for innovation, savings, skills development, and intergenerational learning.
The Commissioner also revealed that the Scale-Up phase aims to enroll at least 25,000 women in Ijebu-Ode, urging traders, artisans, professionals, entrepreneurs, and women aged 18 and above to participate. She added that facilitators were selected from local communities to ensure better accessibility, accountability, and community ownership.
Adeleye stressed that institutionalising Oko’wo Dapo, combined with the NFWP Scale-Up, positions Ogun State as a national model for women-centered development, helping to sustain socio-economic gains and broaden livelihood opportunities for women.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo, who chairs the Multisectoral Coordination Structure (MCS), said the project aligns with the administration’s vision, adding that investment in women translates to sustainable development, stronger households, and inclusive growth. He commended the State Project Coordinator, Mrs. Bolanle Fadairo, noting that the scale-up will expand the state’s reach to more women and communities.
Senior Social Development Specialist and Task Team Leader for the Scale-Up Project, Micheal Ilesanmi, praised Ogun State’s performance during the first phase, revealing that the World Bank ranked Ogun as a leading state, prompting about sixteen states to seek peer learning support. He applauded Governor Dapo Abiodun and key commissioners for their strong guidance and expressed confidence that the state would exceed its targets in the new phase.
