The Ogun State Government has appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders to support initiatives aimed at improving financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women across the state.
Mrs. Bolanle Fadairo, Project Coordinator for the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), made the call on Tuesday during a sensitisation and mobilisation tour of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area. She highlighted the critical role of royal fathers, community leaders, and market heads in promoting financial independence for women, noting that their influence at the grassroots level is vital to the programme’s success.
During a courtesy visit to the palace of the Onigboko of Orile-Igboko, Igbesa, Oba Yusuf Olasunkanmi, Fadairo said the government seeks the cooperation of traditional rulers to ensure effective implementation of NFWP-SU in their communities.
She explained that the initiative is a joint effort between the state and federal government designed to empower 105,000 women across four local government areas in Ogun State. The programme focuses on enhancing women’s economic resilience through financial literacy, market linkages, adoption of technology, and structured group organization.
Fadairo emphasised that the programme is non-political and community-driven, aiming to build long-term capacity rather than offering one-off handouts. “Beneficiaries in other zones have already seen improvements in income, savings, and business growthna clear proof that the model works when communities embrace it,” she said.
She added that the outreach is part of a broader strategy to strengthen community ownership, ensuring that grassroots women particularly traders, artisans, and micro-entrepreneurs fully benefit from the state’s empowerment agenda. Market women were encouraged to organise into functional groups to qualify for programme benefits, with the five-year initiative targeting sustainable economic independence.
In their remarks, Oba Olasunkanmi and the Olodan of Odan-Abuja, Oba Nosiru Ayinla, praised the initiative and pledged full support. Olasunkanmi underscored the vital role of women in national development and assured that traditional rulers in the local government would work closely with the state government to ensure the programme’s success.
The sensitisation team also visited Lusada International Market, where traders welcomed the campaign and expressed readiness to participate.
Women’s empowerment in Nigeria continues to face challenges, including low political representation women hold only about 4% of elective positions and limited access to education, formal employment, and essential services such as healthcare. The NFWP-SU programme is part of the government’s efforts to provide structured financial support and promote inclusive development for women across Ogun State.
