By Dada AYOKHAI
Edo State Government is taking significant steps to empower women through the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP), a partnership with the World Bank.
The project aims to equip women with skills, resources, and opportunities to improve their socio-economic well-being across the state.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, highlighted the government’s commitment to this initiative during a strategic meeting with the World Bank delegation .
Mrs. Abdallah explained that the NFWP is a flagship women’s economic empowerment initiative aimed at institutionalizing women’s affinity groups as sustainable platforms for economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and improved livelihoods, stating that the project targets unbanked and underserved women from aged 18 years and above.
The Commissioner noted that the project establishes sustainable structures that enable women to access finance, grow businesses, and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities. She stated that women empowerment remains a critical pillar of the state’s development strategy, as investments in women directly enhance household welfare, community resilience, and overall economic growth.
Describing the initiative as a transformative intervention, the Commissioner said the project aligns with the present administration’s broader agenda of inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and gender equality, reaffirming the state government’s readiness to work closely with the World Bank to ensure that women across Edo State are equipped with the skills, tools, and opportunities needed to achieve economic independence.
Mr. Michael Ilesanmi while commending the State Government’s leadership and commitment to women-focused development initiatives, reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to partnering with the state to achieve the project’s objectives and support sustainable systems that promote women’s economic empowerment.
