…As 250 NGOs get N62m grant
IBRAHIM QUADRI
As part of measures to address poverty, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration has disbursed the sum of N1.9bn for empowerment to vulnerable women and youths in the State between 2024 till date.
Also, at least 250 women-focused Non-Government Organisations, NGOs have received N250, 000 each as grant from the State’s Government within the same period.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, Mrs. Bolaji Dada made the disclosure on Friday, while giving the scorecard of her ministry at the ongoing 2025 ministerial press briefing in commemoration of the second year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu/Dr. Femi Hamzat administration, held at Alausa, Ikeja.
According to Dada, “The state government through WAPA has spent about N1.5 billion between 2024 and 2025 for the micro enterprise support initiatives involving women and youths in the state.
“For the livelihood empowerment initiative, the state government also spent about N400 million, amounting to N1.59 billion, almost N2 billion within a year.”
Speaking on the criteria for selected beneficiaries, Dada said, “We give equipment to graduates of our skills acquisition Center.
“Then we give equipment like grinding machines to the vulnerable who are on the social register, that is domiciled in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.
“And also, we go on the streets to evaluate and validate beneficiaries. Students from our schools are not just brought, we evaluate them, some of them are graduates.
“But the ones that graduated, struggling to start their own business, we made sure to help them, N10,464 graduated within two years.”
While reeling out some of the empowerment interventions, Dada said, “As part of the Nigeria Community Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme a Federal Government initiative designed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods, WAPA has played a pivotal role in implementing interventions targeted at poor and vulnerable women and youths across Lagos State.
“Through Result Area 1, (DLI 1.3– Livelihood Support delivery platform, WAPA facilitated the identification, verification, and empowerment of 7,322 vulnerable residents across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs. Beneficiaries were given soft skills training and one off payment of a grant as startup support for their businesses.
“The aim is to cushion economic shocks and foster self-reliance.
“These interventions have supported household incomes, promoted entrepreneurship, and boosted the local economy. Through the programme, over 7,322 indigen,t poor and vulnerable residents have been empowered with funds to support businesses.
“3,750 women had been trained and empowered in the 4- Weeks Short -term Skills Acquisition programme. This programme is aimed at alleviating the plight of indigent and vulnerable residents in Lagos State.
“Also, during an advocacy, 2,820 families benefited from the Programme on Healthy Nutrition tagged” OUNJE LORE AWO, in the three Senatorial districts in Lagos State.
“Hygienic and nutritious food items were given to participants to encourage them on the need to eat and feed their families with a balanced diet.
“Dieticians were also invited to teach the women on the types of food to feed their children to ensure healthy nutrition.”
Speaking on various supports for NGOs, Dada said, “The mandate of the Ministry is overseeing the affairs of the NGOs through fieldwork /registration, co-ordination, supervision, visitation and inspection of women-focused/oriented NGOs.
“At least 250 NGOs have received the sum of N250,000 each as support grants within the period under review.
“These women-focused NGOs are presently being put in the data bank of the Ministry. NGOs are known to be Humanitarian non-profit-making ventures, as well as organizations that advocate for change in the society.
“Hence, the Ministry of WAPA is therefore equipped with various responsibilities which align with women progression and their development, amongst which are: widows, single mothers, domestic violence, advocacy, sensitization and health checks for women.”
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