The Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), a World Bank-backed project that aims to give women sustainable economic possibilities, has been formally launched by the Ekiti State Government, beginning with three local government areas. The initiative marks a significant turning point in the grassroots advancement of inclusive development and women’s empowerment.
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Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, spoke at the ceremonial launch and characterized the project as a daring pledge by the administration of Governor Abayomi Oyebanji to enhance the economic independence and standard of living of women.
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Babafemi states that “This program represents a significant step in empowering women economically at the grassroots level. The administration’s investment in the program is a testament to its commitment to improving women’s livelihood and economic independence. The vision of the program is to engender an inclusive and economically vibrant society where women are empowered to thrive,”.
Efon, Moba, and Gbonyin/Ayekire LGAs will host the program’s initial phase, with plans to expand it as the project develops. The NFWP-SU aims to foster social solidarity among rural women, develop women’s saving culture, foster collaboration, and advance financial literacy. Additionally, it seeks to improve women’s and their families’ general quality of life.
Babafemi also commended First Lady Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji for her support of the program’s implementation throughout the state and encouraged women to get involved by creating Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) and following the program’s rules.
Under the direction of State Project Coordinator Mrs. Toyin Familoni, the State Project Coordinating Unit (SPCU) initiated stakeholder engagement in Efon LGA to ensure successful implementation. As part of the initial preparations, the team made courtesy visits to the LGA chairman, chiefs, local traditional rulers, and other council officials.
“The visits were part of strategies designed to seek community buy-in and create an enabling environment for effective implementation,” commented Familoni.
She also declared that the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Exercise, which entails ward facilitator identification, sensitization campaigns, and stakeholder mapping, had begun. “These are essential actions to guarantee that the intervention meets the real needs of the women in the community and has the greatest possible impact,” she stated.
Through organized group formations, the initiative also seeks to give participants access to financing while assisting them in developing their financial literacy and economic resilience. The reaction from Efon stakeholders has been very positive, according to Familoni, with many leaders feeling confident in the program’s ability to change the socioeconomic situation for women.
“Efon stakeholders and community leaders have responded in a very positive way. There is a great deal of hope that the Nigeria for Women Program will actually benefit the participating women in the long run,” she continued.
She affirmed that the first-phase rollout will soon start with implementation in the Moba and Ayekire LGAs.
With the goal of lowering poverty and gender inequality through economic empowerment, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and the World Bank collaborated to create the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) in Ekiti State.
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