The Ogun State Government, in partnership with the Federal Government and the World Bank, has initiated the disbursement of N6 billion from the Community Investment Fund to 3,855 women affinity groups across four local government areas under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up. This intervention aims to expand women-led businesses, strengthen household livelihoods, and increase women's participation in economic activities. The programme seeks to empower women and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Ijebu-Ode, Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by Motunrayo Adeleye, stated that the fund was designed to enable women to transition from subsistence activities to sustainable enterprises. The beneficiary groups demonstrated their readiness by meeting key programme requirements, including regular participation, savings, internal lending, opening bank accounts, and preparing Micro-Investment Plans. Abiodun emphasized that the programme is a deliberate effort to empower women, strengthen families, and expand opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
The governor disclosed that the women had collectively saved N2.6 billion in the past seven months, while loans accessed through the groups had risen to more than N4 billion. These figures demonstrate the financial discipline, trust, and commitment developed by the Women Affinity Groups. Abiodun clarified that the N6 billion CIF is not an outright grant but a sustainable revolving financing facility designed to provide capital for establishing and expanding businesses, creating employment, and improving household welfare.
The intervention is an extension of the Nigeria for Women Project, which commenced in Ogun State in December 2020, following the signing of the project between the World Bank and the Federal Government in 2018. The parent project established 3,792 Women Affinity Groups across 1,003 communities in Odeda, Ikenne, Ijebu North-East, and Yewa North Local Government Areas. Additionally, 368 Ward Facilitators were trained and deployed, while 67,094 women beneficiaries received individual grants in April 2022.
Under the Scale-Up phase, the programme has expanded to seven local government areas, including Ifo, Ado-Odo/Ota, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Abeokuta North, Ipokia, and Remo North. A total of 5,394 Women Affinity Groups have been formed, reaching 124,062 women as of September 21, 2026. The programme has covered 3,489 communities, with 664 trained ward facilitators, and about 26 states have visited Ogun to study its model.
The World Bank Task Team Manager, Michael Ilesanmi, stated that the programme is helping to bridge financial access gaps for women while strengthening their capacity to withstand economic pressures. The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, commended Ogun State for its leadership in implementing the programme, urging the beneficiaries to sustain the momentum and serve as models to other Women Affinity Groups.
Beneficiaries, including Oyesanya Omotoke, Ayomide Ogunleye, and Adesola Teriba, expressed appreciation for the intervention, stating that the fund would help women strengthen their businesses and improve their livelihoods. They commended the Women Affinity Group model for promoting savings, internal lending, financial discipline, and collective responsibility. The programme is building not only businesses but also knowledgeable, financially disciplined, and economically resilient women.
Key points
- Ogun State government disburses N6 billion to 3,855 women affinity groups to expand women-led businesses and strengthen household livelihoods.
- The programme aims to empower women and promote sustainable livelihoods by providing access to finance, financial literacy, and business skills.
- The intervention is a collaboration between the Ogun State Government, Federal Government, and the World Bank under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up.
