Lagos unveils roadmap to unlock women’s economic potential

By Adeola Ogunrinde –

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday launched the Lagos State Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap, aimed at removing systemic barriers hindering the advancement of women in the state. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu unveiled the policy at a ceremony held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

The WEE roadmap is anchored on five key pillars: Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Traditional Labour Market, Emerging Industries, and Education & Skill Acquisition. It is designed to close gender gaps, enhance financial inclusion, promote digital equity, and boost women’s leadership in critical sectors.

Lagos becomes the second sub-national entity, after Kaduna, to domesticate the national WEE policy. The roadmap was developed by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) as a strategic framework to tackle challenges facing women’s economic participation in the state.

Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth. “Despite our economic vibrancy, women, who make up nearly half of our population, continue to face substantial barriers in education, skill acquisition, access to finance, and participation in key industries,” he said.

Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by Mrs Agnes Abraham, lauded the initiative and commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her continued advocacy for Nigerian women. She described Lagos as a “beacon of diversity and development,” exemplifying what gender inclusivity can achieve.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, described the policy unveiling as a collective commitment to dismantling economic barriers for women. She said the roadmap offers clear strategies to enhance access to finance, digital tools, market linkages, and entrepreneurial support.

According to the commissioner, the policy provides actionable steps to address gender-based limitations in both traditional and emerging sectors, aiming to create an enabling environment for women to thrive economically across the state.

The launch event was attended by key stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector, who expressed optimism that the WEE policy would serve as a blueprint for sustainable, inclusive development across Lagos State.