The Ogun State Government has commenced the disbursement of the N6bn Community Investment Fund (CIF) to 3,855 Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) across four local government areas. This initiative is under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), aimed at expanding women-led businesses, strengthening household livelihoods, and deepening women’s participation in economic activities. The programme was launched at a flag-off ceremony held at Ijebu-Ode.
The State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, represented by Adijat Adeleye, stated that the intervention aims to give women greater capacity to move from subsistence activities to sustainable enterprises, improving incomes and strengthening families. Abiodun disclosed that the beneficiary women had collectively saved ₦2.6 billion over the past seven months, while total loans accessed through the groups had risen to over ₦4 billion. These figures demonstrate the financial discipline and commitment developed by the WAGs.
The governor explained that the ₦6 billion CIF is not an outright grant but a sustainable revolving financing facility designed to provide capital for establishing and expanding businesses, generating income and employment, and improving household welfare. The beneficiary groups had demonstrated their readiness by meeting programme requirements, including regular participation, savings, and internal lending, opening of bank accounts, and preparation of Micro-Investment Plans.
The intervention builds on the parent Nigeria for Women Project, which commenced implementation in Ogun in December 2020. The project established 3,792 WAGs across 1,003 communities in Odeda, Ikenne, Ijebu North East, and Yewa North, with 368 Ward Facilitators trained and deployed. A total of 67,094 women beneficiaries received individual grants in April 2022.
The Scale-Up phase has expanded to seven LGAs, including Ifo, Ado-Odo/Ota, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Abeokuta North, Ipokia, and Remo North. In these areas, 5,394 WAGs have been formed, reaching 124,062 women as of September 21, 2026. The programme has covered 3,489 communities, with 664 trained Ward Facilitators.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the initiative as a strategic economic intervention consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She commended the state for taking the lead and admonished the beneficiaries to be good models for other WAGs in all participating Local Government Areas.
The World Bank Task Team Manager, Michael Ilesanmi, underscored the broader significance of the intervention, noting that the programme helps bridge financial access gaps for women while building their capacity to withstand economic pressures. The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing policy support and institutional collaboration required to complement the intervention.
Key points
- Ogun State government disburses N6bn investment fund to 3,855 women groups.
- The programme aims to expand women-led businesses, strengthen household livelihoods, and deepen women’s participation in economic activities.
- The intervention builds on the parent Nigeria for Women Project, which commenced implementation in Ogun in December 2020.
