Women's empowerment and leadership initiatives expand in Ogun and Ondo States

In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun has implemented a women’s development strategy focused on economic and social integration. Through a partnership with the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Project, the administration has reportedly empowered approximately 100,000 women. The state has also established 8,759 Women Affinity Groups involving over 247,000 women across 20 Local Government Areas. Over a six-year period, more than ₦5 billion has been invested in women-focused livelihood programmes, including the Oko’wo Dapo initiative.

In Ondo State, women leaders are advocating for sustained gender inclusion in governance. During a leadership empowerment retreat organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, participants urged the government to continue appointing women to strategic administrative and political positions. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Oluwaseun Osamaye, noted that the state currently has 16 female permanent secretaries, which she described as the highest number recorded under any previous administration in the state.