The Lagos State Government on Monday unveiled its Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) policy action team, marking a pivotal step towards the domestication of the National WEE policy in the state.
The inauguration, accompanied by a stakeholders’ engagement session, was led by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (MWAPA) in partnership with the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSDG).
The National WEE policy, which was launched in May 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, serves as a comprehensive roadmap to enhance women’s economic empowerment across Nigeria.
The policy’s primary goal is to drive structural reforms and introduce sector-specific interventions that encourage the full participation of women and girls in the nation’s economy.
During the event, the Permanent Secretary of MWAPA, Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo, emphasized Lagos State’s commitment to embarking on a transformative journey aimed at uplifting the lives of women across its communities.
She highlighted that economic empowerment is not just about financial independence but also about restoring dignity, building confidence, and expanding the ability of women to make impactful choices for their families and communities.
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“The challenges of women’s economic empowerment are significant, but through collaboration and innovation, we can make a lasting impact,” Kalesanwo stated. She further noted that the state government envisions a future where women have equal access to resources, opportunities, and platforms for growth and development.
Kalesanwo called on team members to collaborate and initiate programs focused on skill development, entrepreneurship, and access to funding as part of achieving the WEE mandate.
Fabia Ogunmekan, Consultant DGA of Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) and technical adviser to MWAPA on WEE policy, commended the Lagos State Government for leading the way in implementing the initiative. Ogunmekan noted that Lagos is the first state to domesticate the WEE policy since its inception in 2023.
The newly inaugurated team includes representatives from 10 key ministries, departments, and agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Wealth Creation, Lagos State Entrepreneurship Trust Fund, and Ministry of Education. This multi-sectoral team is tasked with adapting the National WEE policy to fit Lagos’ unique needs and ensuring it effectively addresses women’s empowerment across the state.
Ogunmekan explained that over the next three months, intensive stakeholder dialogue will take place to refine the policy. The goal is to officially launch the domesticated WEE policy by December 2024 or January 2025.
Speaking on the broader objective, Adekemi Omole, Gender and Inclusion Lead at the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) and technical adviser to Lagos State on WEE, emphasized that the policy aims to provide women with access to the necessary resources, opportunities, and environments to thrive.
Omole explained that the next phase would involve co-creating a policy with key stakeholders—including market women, private sector representatives, and individuals living with disabilities—to ensure the policy is inclusive and tailored to the state’s unique context. This final version will be presented to the governor for approval and formal launch.
Ms. Joke Ogunojemite, Assistant Director of Legal Affairs at OSDG, further stated that partnering with ASG and PIC on this initiative would assist OSDG in achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She noted that the policy would guide women in Lagos on how to empower themselves economically, socially, and intellectually, laying the foundation for sustainable progress in all aspects of life.
