“Ogun Registers 1,629 Women Affinity “Groups to Boost Economic Empowerment Under Nigeria for Women Programme”

“Ogun Registers 1,629 Women Affinity Groups to Boost Economic Empowerment Under Nigeria for Women Programme”

The government of Ogun State has registered 1,629 Women Affinity Groups under the Nigeria for Women Programme (NFWP), a major step aimed at strengthening women’s economic participation and financial inclusion across the state.
Officials say the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to empower women at the grassroots level by providing structured platforms for savings, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship support. The programme targets women in rural and semi urban communities who often face barriers to accessing financial services and business opportunities.
According to the state government, the newly registered groups will serve as cooperative platforms where members can pool savings, access microcredit, and receive training in enterprise development. Authorities believe the initiative will help women expand small businesses, increase household incomes, and improve community level economic resilience.
The programme is implemented in collaboration with the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, which jointly support the Nigeria for Women Programme. The initiative is designed to enhance women’s economic empowerment across several participating Nigerian states through community-driven financial groups.
Officials in Ogun State noted that the formation of the 1,629 affinity groups marks a significant milestone in the programme’s implementation, emphasizing that each group is expected to operate under structured guidelines promoting accountability, transparency, and collective financial growth.
The groups will also receive training in leadership, financial management, and business planning. Experts say such models have proven effective in strengthening women’s financial independence and enabling sustainable local development.
Beyond economic benefits, the initiative is expected to foster stronger social networks among women, encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support within communities.
Development specialists note that programmes like the Nigeria for Women Programme play a crucial role in addressing gender disparities in financial access, particularly in developing economies where women often face systemic challenges in entrepreneurship and asset ownership.
The Ogun State government reaffirmed its commitment to expanding opportunities for women through policies and programmes designed to promote inclusive economic growth and long term social development.