The Federal Government, the World Bank, and the Ekiti State Government have commenced the disbursement of community investment funds to 1,500 women’s groups in Ekiti State as part of efforts to create jobs, expand economic opportunities, and strengthen women’s participation in local economies.
The intervention, implemented under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project, is designed to support approximately 25,000 women engaged in a range of economic activities across the state.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises poverty reduction, economic inclusion, and job creation.
According to the minister, the programme seeks to address long-standing barriers limiting women’s access to finance, technology, markets, and productive economic opportunities.
“This programme is designed to expand financial inclusion, strengthen enterprise development, build skills, and deepen community-based economic organisations through women’s affinity groups,” she said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim described the affinity groups as important vehicles for economic empowerment and financial resilience.
“The women’s affinity groups are economic units of trust. They enable women to save collectively, build financial discipline, access capital, share knowledge, and strengthen resilience. When women organise, they multiply their income, stability, and influence,” she said.
World Bank Task Team Manager Michael Ilesanmi said the project aims to improve women’s access to finance and investment opportunities to boost productivity and economic independence.
“This programme will benefit five million women across Nigeria. In Ekiti, we are starting with 150,000 women. We are supporting women to be able to stand on their own and support their households,” Ilesanmi said.
He emphasised that women’s economic empowerment generates benefits that extend beyond individual beneficiaries to families and communities.
“Men are benefitting in the project because once your spouses, your sisters, and our mothers are empowered, the family, the household, and the community benefit. Soeveryone actually benefits. Anything for women benefits all of us,” he added.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds responsibly and invest in productive ventures capable of improving their livelihoods.
“I urge our women to spend this money wisely. This fund is meant to grow your businesses and improve your economic condition,” the governor said.
Under the programme, each women’s affinity group will receive ₦1.65 million to support livelihood activities, enterprise development, and other income-generating ventures.
