By Chioma Vivian James
More than 127,000 women across Ogun State are set to benefit from a ₦6 billion Community Investment Fund designed to expand businesses, create employment opportunities and improve household incomes.
The initiative was formally flagged off in Ijebu Ode on Wednesday under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), a Federal Government intervention being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in partnership with the Ogun State Government.
The programme is designed to strengthen women-led enterprises and improve their access to finance, markets and other economic opportunities, with beneficiaries expected to channel the funds into productive ventures capable of generating sustainable income and employment.
As part of the implementation, Ogun State has established 5,394 Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) across seven Local Government Areas, reaching 3,489 communities.
According to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the groups have collectively accumulated savings of ₦2.69 billion and disbursed more than ₦4 billion in loans to members, demonstrating the growing capacity of women-led community groups to mobilise capital and support enterprise development.
The Ministry also disclosed that 368 Ward Facilitators had been trained to provide grassroots support and strengthen the implementation of the programme across participating communities.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented at the flag-off by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, and Special Assistant, Technical and Community Engagement, Princess Jummai Idonije, commended the Ogun State Government and beneficiary groups for their commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment.
She urged beneficiaries to deploy the funds responsibly and productively, maintain transparent financial records and use the opportunity to expand their businesses, increase household incomes and create jobs within their communities.
The Minister further called for stronger linkages between the Women Affinity Groups and other Federal Government interventions in areas including access to finance, market opportunities, digital skills, agriculture and value chains, clean energy and enterprise development.
According to her, connecting women beneficiaries to a broader range of economic support programmes would deepen the impact of the investment and provide them with greater opportunities to build sustainable businesses.
She stressed that strengthening women’s participation in the economy goes beyond individual empowerment, noting that economically active women contribute to stronger families, vibrant local economies and more resilient communities.
The Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up is supported by the World Bank, the NFWP-SU Federal Project Coordinating Unit, Ogun State Government and other implementing partners.
With the ₦6 billion Community Investment Fund now being deployed, the programme is expected to provide thousands of Ogun women with increased opportunities to grow their enterprises, strengthen household livelihoods and contribute more significantly to economic development across the state.
