PIC Praises Lagos State Government Over Women’s Empowerment Scheme

The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) has commended the Lagos State Government for its proactive and impactful approach to women’s empowerment, describing the initiative as a significant step towards inclusive socio-economic development.

In a statement released following an engagement with key stakeholders, the PIC praised the initiative for targeting vulnerable women across communities and providing them with tools to attain financial independence and improved livelihoods. The Centre acknowledged the Lagos State Government’s efforts to scale up access to entrepreneurship training, start-up support, and mentorship for women from various backgrounds.

According to the PIC, the empowerment programme reflects a well-structured model that addresses long-standing gender disparities in economic access and opportunity. By focusing on skill development, business training, and capital facilitation, the initiative is enabling women to participate more actively in the local economy, particularly in sectors where they were previously underrepresented or economically marginalised.

Officials from the Policy Innovation Centre highlighted the critical role that gender-focused interventions play in community transformation. They noted that empowering women—especially in low-income and underserved communities—has a direct ripple effect on family welfare, youth development, and grassroots entrepreneurship.

The Centre further commended the Lagos State Government for incorporating digital and vocational elements into the programme, pointing out that these components are vital for long-term resilience and competitiveness. Beneficiaries are being trained in trades ranging from tailoring and catering to digital marketing and small-scale manufacturing, with many receiving start-up kits to launch their ventures.

PIC representatives also engaged with some of the beneficiaries, who testified to the life-changing impact of the initiative. Several women noted that the skills and support they received not only boosted their income but also restored their confidence and improved their social standing within their communities.

Beyond its immediate economic benefits, the Centre believes the initiative promotes broader social inclusion and women’s participation in governance, as empowered women are more likely to engage in civic processes and community leadership.

The PIC urged other state governments to replicate the Lagos model, adding that with strong political will, community engagement, and transparent implementation, women’s empowerment programmes can become catalysts for national development.

As part of its ongoing commitment to policy support, the Policy Innovation Centre offered to provide technical assistance, research insights, and monitoring support to help improve the scalability and impact of the Lagos initiative.The Lagos State Government, in its response, reaffirmed its dedication to expanding opportunities for women across the state. Officials revealed plans to introduce e-commerce platforms for women-led businesses and improve access to finance through microcredit partnerships.

The collaborative tone between the Policy Innovation Centre and the Lagos State Government underscores a growing consensus on the importance of targeted, evidence-based interventions in reducing inequality and promoting inclusive growth.

With increased recognition and support, the women’s empowerment programme in Lagos is poised to serve as a national reference point for sustainable, gender-responsive development policy.