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The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, on Tuesday launched the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) Project in Ekiti State.
Speaking at the launch held at the Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, the minister said the initiative is a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion.
The programme, implemented through a partnership involving the Federal Government, the Ekiti State Government, and the World Bank, also witnessed the commencement of the disbursement of Community Investment Funds (CIF) to Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) across the state.
She explained that the project was designed to empower women through organised community groups that promote savings, investment, entrepreneurship, and financial independence.
According to her, women remain central to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and must be provided with opportunities and support that enable them to contribute more effectively to national development.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that the programme would expand women’s access to finance, strengthen their financial management capacity, support the growth of small businesses, and foster sustainable community-based organisations.
She commended Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for prioritising policies and programmes targeted at improving the welfare of women and vulnerable groups, adding that the state had distinguished itself in implementing impactful social development initiatives.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Olapeju Babafemi, described the project as a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to promote women’s economic advancement.
She disclosed that about 1,500 women drawn from Ado, Moba, Gboyin, and Efon Local Government Areas would benefit from the first phase of the intervention.
Babafemi explained that the World Bank-supported programme provides women with opportunities to form affinity groups, mobilise savings, invest collectively and expand their business activities.
In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the World Bank for including Ekiti among the beneficiary states of the programme.
The governor said the state qualified for the initiative in 2024 and assured stakeholders that the benefits would reach communities across the state.
He urged beneficiaries to channel the funds into productive ventures capable of improving their livelihoods and strengthening local economies.
“This fund is meant to grow your businesses and improve your economic condition. The desire of President Bola Tinubu is for Nigerians to live better lives, and this programme is part of that vision,” the governor said.
Oyebanji also pledged continued support from the state government to ensure the sustainability of the initiative, noting that women had consistently demonstrated responsibility in managing resources and community development projects.
Also speaking, the wife of the governor, Olayemi Oyebanji, reiterated the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of women, widows, traders and the girl-child through various intervention programmes.
She revealed that more than 2,000 women had benefited from initiatives championed by her office and announced plans to disburse over ₦100 million to support women-owned businesses across the state.
The World Bank Task Team Manager, Michael Ilesanmi, described the launch as a major step towards strengthening women’s economic empowerment in Ekiti and commended the governor for closely monitoring the programme’s implementation.
Representing the traditional institution, the wife of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Abosede Adejugbe, emphasised the importance of investing in women as critical drivers of family and community development.
She encouraged beneficiaries to make prudent use of the funds and establish sustainable enterprises capable of creating employment opportunities.
The event featured the presentation of dummy cheques to several Women Affinity Groups, with beneficiaries receiving grants running into millions of naira to support business expansion and community development projects. Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the government and development partners, noting that the programme had enhanced their knowledge of savings culture, investment, and business management.
