Stakeholders Hold NFWP Scale-Up Meeting in Efon Alaaye, Target Grassroots Empowerment

Stakeholders convened in Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, for the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up meeting, marking the formal rollout of the World Bank supported initiative aimed at driving grassroots economic empowerment.

Stakeholders Hold NFWP Scale-Up Meeting in Efon Alaaye, Target Grassroots Empowerment

The programme, jointly funded by the Ekiti State Government and the World Bank, targets women at the community level, particularly those excluded from formal financial systems. It will be implemented in Efon, Gbonyin Ayekire, and Moba local government areas.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olapeju Babafemi, said the initiative focuses on building sustainable economic structures for women through Women Affinity Groups, small clusters of business minded women who save collectively and grow enterprises together.

She said the programme is strictly non partisan and open to women across all political affiliations, stressing that empowering women remains one of the most effective ways to strengthen families and local economies.

According to her, eligible women aged 18 and above will be organised into affinity groups that meet weekly, contribute affordable savings, and access training, business support, and the Community Investment Fund to expand their ventures.

Mrs Babafemi added that strong performance in the participating local governments would pave the way for the programme’s expansion to other parts of the state.

Representing the Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, the Senior Special Assistant on Advocacy, Dr Eunice Fasanmi, said the First Lady remains deeply committed to women focused development programmes and has thrown her full weight behind the success of the Nigeria for Women Programme in Ekiti.

She urged women leaders to mobilise eligible participants and ensure broad participation, assuring them of continuous support from the Office of the First Lady.

The Ekiti State Project Coordinator, Mrs Oluwatoyin Familoni, said the programme had been implemented across the country, with Ogun State representing the South West during the pilot phase.

She described Ekiti’s inclusion in the scale-up phase as a strategic opportunity and called on beneficiaries to demonstrate discipline and commitment to ensure lasting impact.

Mrs Familoni disclosed that about 34 states have keyed into the programme nationwide, adding that each participating local government is expected to establish 1,200 Women Affinity Groups, with a minimum of 20 women per group.

Also speaking, Mrs Opeoluwa Asoro, representing the Ogun State Project Coordinator, said the initiative provides women with access to low interest loans and shields them from predatory lending practices.

She said beneficiaries would receive business management training, financial literacy support, and equipment funding, adding that the programme would run in phases focused on financial discipline, growth, and accountability.

Community leaders at the meeting urged women in Efon Alaaye to embrace the initiative and ensure full participation. They said meeting the required numbers would position the local government as a model for others in the state.

Speaking on behalf of women in the community, Chief Mrs Ronke Okusanya pledged strong participation and assured organisers that Efon Alaaye would meet its target within the stipulated timeline.

“We are ready to make this work,” she said. “Women in Efon Alaaye are committed.”

The meeting attracted traditional rulers, government officials, civil society groups, and development partners, including representatives of women focused non governmental organisations and local government authorities.