The Ogun State Government has disbursed over N3bn in individual livelihood grants to 54,000 women as part of efforts to empower women and boost economic activities.

Ogun State Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele announced this during the recently held flag-off of the Livelihood Collective Operational and the handover of Collective Groups to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Abeokuta, according to a statement.

Salako-Oyedele, who chairs the State Steering Committee of the Nigeria for Women Project, revealed that the initiative had created over 3,700 Women Affinity Groups with 67,000 beneficiaries across Ijebu North-East, Odeda, Yewa North, and Ikenne Local Government Areas.

She noted that the project equipped women with business skills, financial education, and gender awareness training, enabling them to overcome barriers to economic participation.

“The Nigeria for Women Project has formed over 3,700 affinity groups, benefiting 67,000 women,” Salako-Oyedele stated. “Under my leadership as the chairperson of the State Steering Committee, we disbursed over N3bn in grants to 54,000 women in April 2022. Additionally, 61 collectives, involving over 11,000 women in agricultural and non-agricultural programmes, have been established.”

The deputy governor highlighted that the initiative inspired the state’s Oko’owo Dapo programme, which had empowered over 100,000 women.

She mentioned that 61 collective hubs, which include rice processing, maize storage, cassava processing, and tailoring hubs, were transferred to the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Also, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, noted that the programme had formed 1,616 WAGs across the state, benefiting over 33,000 women in 2024 alone.

Adekeye disclosed that participants collectively saved N1.7bn through the initiative, which also disbursed N536.4m in revolving grants.

“This programme has created life-changing opportunities for over 54,000 women,” Adeleye declared.

“These women now access critical training in business and financial skills and have received grants to start or expand businesses.”

Beneficiaries shared their experiences, with Egunjobi Olufunmilayo, a farmer, and Olabiwonninu Yemisi, a tailor, among others, praising the programme for transforming their livelihoods.