Gates Foundation Delegation Applauds Ogun’s Women Empowerment Model

Abeokuta, Nigeria – A high-level delegation from the Gates Foundation has commended the Ogun State Government for its strides in women’s economic empowerment, following an experiential field visit to assess the impact of the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU).

The delegation, led by Hari Menon, President of the Global Growth and Opportunity Division at the Gates Foundation, was received by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs Augusta Araba, and officials of the State Project Coordinating Unit (SPCU) led by its Coordinator, Mrs Bolanle Fadairo.

The visit was aimed at engaging directly with beneficiaries and gaining firsthand insight into the grassroots implementation of the women’s project components.

Speaking during the visit, Menon praised the “energy and sense of possibility” among participants, noting that the programme had been fostering a sustainable local economic ecosystem. He also lauded the strong ownership and commitment demonstrated by both the Federal and State Governments, which he said had driven the rapid growth and acceptance of the Women Affinity Group model.

Menon assured that the Gates Foundation remained committed to ensuring inclusive support for the project’s efforts toward achieving financial literacy and independence for women, particularly through initiatives established by the NFWP-SU.

The Task Team Leader for NFWP-SU, Michael Ilesanmi, described the visit as strategic to the programme’s scale-up phase. He explained that the Gates Foundation was a critical partner, providing additional investment and technical support in areas such as innovation, impact evaluation, and data-driven decision-making. Ilesanmi added that Ogun State was selected due to its position as a leading flagship state and its demonstrated commitment to sustainability under the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

State Project Coordinator Bolanle Fadairo noted that the visit provided an opportunity to showcase measurable outcomes of the programme. She emphasised that beneficiaries had expanded their businesses and improved their livelihoods through access to financial literacy, group support systems, and sustained government backing.

A major highlight of the visit was a live demonstration by the Opeyemi Women Affinity Group (WAG), where members showcased their structured savings and loan processes. The delegation observed the group’s financial discipline and accountability systems, with Menon participating in the session to better understand the model in practice.

The team also toured an exhibition by the Agbeloba Livelihood Collective, which illustrated the transition from traditional to mechanised garri processing facilitated by the project. According to officials, the intervention has enhanced productivity, reduced manual labour, and improved income generation for the women.

The visit concluded with a technical session involving the Gates Foundation delegation, the World Bank, and the State Project Coordinating Unit management, focusing on sustaining momentum, deepening financial inclusion, and attracting further investment.