OYO MOVES TO DOMESTICATE WOMEN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT POLICY

OYO MOVES TO DOMESTICATE WOMEN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT POLICY

The Oyo State Government has commenced the process of domesticating the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy to institutionalise the inclusion of women in government policies, programmes, budgeting and economic opportunities across the state.

The initiative, being implemented by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), is aimed at strengthening women’s participation in key sectors of the economy and ensuring government interventions adequately address their needs.

The five-day exercise, themed “Domestication of Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy,” began on September 7, 2026, at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The NGF delegation is led by Prof. Olabisi Aina, a Professor of Sociology and gender development specialist.

The first phase of the exercise focuses on key informant interviews and consultations with commissioners, directors and stakeholders across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to assess the level of women’s inclusion in existing government policies and programmes.

The exercise will continue with a three-day technical session at the Ibadan Business School, Old Bodija, where stakeholders will review findings, examine the policy document and validate recommendations for its adoption in Oyo State.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Joke Fausat Saani, said the policy would make women’s economic empowerment a collective responsibility of all government agencies rather than that of the ministry alone.

According to Alhaja Joke Fausat Saani, the policy will ensure that women’s interests are mainstreamed into planning, budgeting and implementation processes across sectors such as agriculture, education, employment and solid minerals.

She stressed the need for women, including those living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, to be deliberately included in government programmes and empowerment initiatives.

The Commissioner explained that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion would coordinate and monitor implementation of the policy to ensure compliance by all MDAs.

She added that the initiative would enable women to access greater economic opportunities, capital and resources beyond traditional micro-enterprises.

Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Prof. Olabisi Aina said the policy seeks to transform governance by ensuring women’s economic empowerment is embedded in the operations of all government institutions.

She noted that every ministry should be able to demonstrate how women benefit from its programmes, policies and budgetary allocations.

According to her, ministries in sectors such as agriculture, education, employment and solid minerals must deliberately create opportunities that promote women’s inclusion and economic advancement.

Prof. Aina described the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion as the coordinating body responsible for monitoring implementation, while MDAs would serve as drivers of the policy’s objectives.

She urged stakeholders to actively participate in the technical sessions to ensure the successful domestication of the policy.

The exercise is expected to culminate in a stakeholders’ validation workshop before the policy is formally adopted in Oyo State.

The policy is expected to provide a sustainable framework for enhancing women’s economic participation, access to resources and involvement in decision-making processes across the state.

The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Oluyinka Shotonwa-Roagess, and other senior government officials.

The statement was signed by Prince Dotun Oyelade, Oyo State Commissioner for Information.