By Samuel Sunday
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic inclusion as Ekiti State launched the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, NFWP-SU, and disbursed Community Investment Funds, CIF, to Women Affinity Groups, WAGs, across the state.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the World Bank and the Ekiti State Government, is designed to improve financial inclusion, enterprise development, and community resilience among women.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the programme as a practical implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She said the initiative seeks to empower women through structured groups that promote savings, investment, entrepreneurship, and financial independence.
“Today is one of those moments when policy becomes reality. Through this programme, the Federal Government, in partnership with the World Bank, is working to empower millions of women across Nigeria. When women are empowered, families become stronger, children stay in school, and communities prosper,” the minister said.
She commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the First Lady, Professor Olayemi Oyebanji, for their commitment to women-focused programmes and support for vulnerable groups.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the World Bank for selecting Ekiti as a beneficiary state. He disclosed that the state qualified for the programme in 2024 and assured that the initiative would be extended to all parts of the state.
“I urge our women to spend this money wisely. This fund is meant to grow your businesses and improve your economic condition. The desire of President Bola Tinubu is for Nigerians to feed well and live well, and this programme is part of that vision,” Oyebanji said.
He pledged additional state support to ensure sustainability, noting that women have consistently demonstrated prudence in managing resources.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Pastor Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi, said about 1,500 women from Ado, Moba, Gboyin, and Efon Local Government Areas would benefit directly from the first phase of the programme.
Professor Olayemi Oyebanji said over 2,000 women had benefited from interventions through her office and revealed that more than ₦100 million would be disbursed to support women-owned businesses. She also acknowledged the contributions of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The World Bank Task Team Manager, Mr. Michael Ilesanmi, described the event as a milestone for women’s economic empowerment in Ekiti. He said more than 1,500 women in the state would benefit from the project, while millions of women nationwide are expected to benefit from similar interventions.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of dummy cheques to various WAGs, with one group receiving ₦1.6 million and another ₦1.2 million for business expansion and community development projects.
Beneficiaries who spoke at the event described the programme as “life-changing” and expressed appreciation to government and development partners.
The event was attended by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, commissioners, traditional rulers, royal wives, development partners, women leaders, and hundreds of beneficiaries.
