Ogun, World Bank boost women empowerment initiatives with over N5bn 

The Ogun State Government, in partnership with the World Bank Group, has invested over ₦5 billion in women-focused empowerment and livelihood initiatives over the past six years, Governor Dapo Abiodun has disclosed.

Abiodun made this known while receiving a delegation from the World Bank Group, led by its Vice President, Ms Galina Vincelette, at his office in Abeokuta.

The governor said the investment was channelled through the World Bank–supported Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) and the state’s domesticated empowerment scheme, Oko’Owo Dapo, which was established to sustain the gains of the initial programme.

According to him, the Nigeria for Women Project, implemented through Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), has significantly transformed the socio-economic lives of women across the state.

“The programme has deepened financial inclusion, strengthened social cohesion, and equipped women with leadership and basic accounting skills.

“About ₦3 billion was disbursed under the World Bank-supported initiative, while the Ogun State Government complemented it with another ₦2 billion. In total, roughly ₦5 billion has been invested in this impactful livelihood programme,” Abiodun said.

He explained that the state government subsequently launched Oko’Owo Dapo to sustain and expand the benefits of the project, noting that about 55,000 women across Ogun State have so far been empowered through the initiative.

The governor also highlighted the achievements of OG-CARES — the Ogun State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme — describing it as a critical intervention that strengthened household resilience and supported food system recovery during and after the pandemic.

Speaking on the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), Abiodun said the programme had recorded measurable progress in skills acquisition, agricultural productivity, and land administration reforms.

“We have significantly increased the speed of issuing Certificates of Occupancy,” he said.

He added that under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), which focuses on connecting farms to markets, the state is currently upgrading about 209 kilometres of rural roads to reduce transportation costs and enhance agricultural productivity.

Abiodun further disclosed that Ogun State would soon commission its Electricity Distribution Company as part of efforts to improve power supply and stimulate industrial growth. He noted that the state had pursued multiple Independent Power Projects (IPPs) and had established the Ogun State Electricity Board following recent constitutional amendments empowering states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity.

In her remarks, the World Bank Group Vice President, Ms Vincelette, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting Ogun State and Nigeria in addressing key development challenges.

She said the bank would continue to promote public-private solutions, particularly in the electricity sector, while strengthening investments in human capital development.

Also speaking, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr Matthew Verghis, disclosed that the bank had prepared a new Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria, with strong emphasis on job creation.

“Creating jobs is the most sustainable way to reduce poverty and raise incomes. Our existing programmes, including the Nigeria for Women Project, will continue.

“Nigeria currently has a $17 billion World Bank portfolio, one of the largest globally, and our support remains strong,” Verghis said.