Lagos trains 1,200 underserved women, tackles period poverty in schools

By Adeola Ogunrinde

The Lagos State Government on Friday announced it has empowered 1,200 women from underserved communities with financial literacy training, reinforcing its commitment to poverty eradication and inclusive development.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, made this known during a ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, marking the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term.

Dr. Finnih said the training aligns with the state’s strategic focus on ten of the seventeen United Nations SDGs, particularly goals such as No Poverty, Quality Education, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Decent Work and Economic Growth.

“Our objective is to achieve these goals before 2030 by improving the quality of life, especially for the most vulnerable segments of the population,” she said.

As part of efforts to combat period poverty, Dr. Finnih also disclosed that over 4,000 sanitary pads have been distributed to female students in public schools across the state. She urged private organisations and NGOs to support menstrual hygiene initiatives to ensure no girl misses school due to her period.

“We must eliminate period poverty and protect the educational rights of girls in vulnerable communities,” she added.

The Special Adviser further revealed that 650 underserved communities, with a combined population of over 800,000 residents, have been identified across 20 local government areas. To provide sustainable support, the government has established development centres in nine of those communities.

She noted that the state continues to strengthen partnerships with international organisations, improve data evaluation frameworks, and promote evidence-based planning to meet its development goals.