Lagos Empowers 1,200 Women in Marginalised Communities with Financial Literacy Training
The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with Africa Human Capacity Development Plus (Africa HCD Plus) and several financial institutions, has successfully empowered 1,200 women across 12 hard-to-reach communities through a targeted financial literacy and inclusion initiative.
The programme, spearheaded by the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reached its latest milestone with the training of 100 women in the riverine community of Oko-Agbon, Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
At the grand finale event of the Human Capital Development through Women’s Financial Inclusion Initiative, the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Olayemi Sarunmi, emphasized the transformative power of financial empowerment.
“When women become financially independent, communities thrive, the economy strengthens, and development becomes truly sustainable,” Sarunmi said.
She applauded the collaboration with partners including Opay, Cowrywise, LASHMA, LASSRA, and NIMC, noting their contributions to the success of the year-long initiative.
The outreach, launched under the THEMES+ Agenda, aims to empower financially excluded women with essential financial knowledge, access to services, and pathways to independence.
Ms Halima Mohammed, who represented Africa HCD Plus, described the initiative as a “movement of measurable impact and meaningful change,” noting that it was backed by a strong commitment to leave no one behind, especially women in underserved communities.
Traditional ruler of the Oko-Agbon community, Oba Monsuru Oladega, expressed gratitude on behalf of the residents and urged the state government to replace the community’s aging two-kilometre wooden bridge with concrete infrastructure. He also advocated for the expedited commissioning of the local public hospital.
Beyond financial literacy, 120 women were enrolled into the Ilera Eko Health Scheme during the outreach, granting them access to free healthcare services for one year in accredited facilities.
The 12 communities that have benefited from the programme include:
Aderupoko (Iwaya, Lagos Mainland), Oke Ira Central (Ifako-Ijaiye), Ilaje (Bariga), Araromi-Ale (Badagry), Taffi (Oto-Awori LCDA, Ojo), Araromi (Ibeju Lekki), Odomola and Eredo (Epe), Ijora Badia (Apapa Iganmu), Amukoko (Ifelodun LCDA), Mende (Maryland, Kosofe), Oke-Ira (Ogba), and Oko-Agbon (Agboyi-Ketu LCDA).
