Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has revealed that over 54,000 women have benefited from the disbursement of more than N3 billion under the Individual Livelihood Grants of the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP).
Speaking during the flag-off of the Livelihood Collective Operational initiative and the formal handing over of Livelihood Collective Groups to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development at the Obas Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Salako-Oyedele emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering women and dismantling barriers to their economic participation.
As Chairperson of the State Steering Committee for the NFWP, the deputy governor disclosed that the project has formed over 3,700 Affinity Groups across Ijebu North-East, Odeda, Yewa North, and Ikenne Local Government Areas, benefiting 67,000 women. Additionally, 61 Collectives comprising 11,000 Women Affinity Group (WAG) members engaged in both agricultural and non-agricultural activities have been established.
The women have undergone extensive training in business management, financial literacy, gender awareness, and life skills, equipping them to overcome gender-based challenges and adopt modern entrepreneurial practices.
Salako-Oyedele noted, “To further remove barriers limiting women’s economic participation, the state government disbursed over N3 billion in individual livelihood grants to 54,000 women in April 2022. Under my leadership, 61 Collectives have been established, encompassing hubs for cassava, rice, maize, and tailoring, which will now be handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for sustained operations.”
She also highlighted the success of the NFWP as a driving force behind Governor Dapo Abiodun’s “Oko’owo Dapo” initiative, which has empowered an additional 100,000 women across the state.
The Deputy Governor further expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for selecting Ogun State as the South West representative for the World Bank-supported NFWP. She charged beneficiaries to maximize the opportunities provided and utilize the resources effectively to sustain the program’s impact.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, disclosed that the NFWP has directly benefited 33,530 women across Ogun State’s 20 Local Government Areas in 2024. Participants have collectively saved over N1 billion through the initiative, and over N5 million has been disbursed to Women Affinity Groups.
Adeleye commended the program for providing critical training in financial education, business skills, and grievance redress mechanisms, creating life-changing opportunities for over 54,000 women in the state.
The ceremony also marked the official handover of hubs, including rice processing centers, maize storage and marketing hubs, cassava processing units, and tailoring hubs, to the Ministry of Women Affairs for sustainable management and operations.