Ogun State Government has announced plans to empower over 500 women with ₦35 million in cash grants as part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, disclosed this on Monday during the year’s celebration held at the Royal Pavilion in Ijebu-Ode, stressing that 50 women would be given a sum of N200,000 cash and 500 women would be given N50,000 cash grants.
Speaking at the event, which attracted over 5,000 women from across the state, they also declared their support for the second-term bid of President Bola Tinubu and for Governor Dapo Abiodun in his aspiration to represent Ogun East Senatorial District in the Senate.
Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the State’s Deputy Governor, declared Ogun women’s unwavering support for President Tinubu’s reelection, characterising the Renewed Hope Agenda as inclusive and influential, especially for women.
She stated that Nigerians have benefited quantifiably from the Tinubu administration’s policies, with women recording significant increases in social engagement, economic participation, and opportunities.
Salako-Oyedele said: “Policies of President Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administrations at the Federal and State levels have significantly benefited women, with the records of measurable gains in social inclusion, economic participation, and access to opportunities. We are very proud of them and we pledge our unflinching support for them as they move on to the next level.”
She added that Nigeria must deepen women’s representation in governance, saying, “We need to go further. Nigeria needs to produce a female governor so that women can truly feel a sense of belonging in governance. I am confident that our leaders will work to ensure that the aspirations of women in this country are fully realized.”
Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, said the enormous turnout of women represented rising unity, resilience, and influence in public life, supporting President Tinubu’s and Governor Abiodun’s political objectives.
She noted that the 2026 IWD celebration coincided with activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ogun State, describing the milestone as a reminder of women’s consistent contributions to the state’s growth over the past five decades.
According to Adeleye, “women have remained central to Ogun’s development through family stability, commerce, community building, and increasing participation in governance and the private sector.”
She acknowledged the contributions of the First Lady of the Federation, Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, alongside the Ajose Foundation of the State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun, urging women to translate their population strength into effective political participation.
She also acknowledged the contributions of the First Lady of the Federation, Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, and the Ajose Foundation of the Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun, which she said has strengthened women empowerment programmes in the state.
Speaking on the theme: “Give to Gain”, the guest Speaker, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, described it as timely and issued a clarion call for Nigeria to dismantle systemic barriers keeping women at the periphery of power, noting that the current two per cent female participation in politics represents a national crisis that needed to be addressed by all and sundry.
The former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, stressed that “International Women’s Day is not just a celebration but a moment for deep reflection on the structural reforms required to secure the future of the Nigerian girl-child”
Olujimi argued that existing social and legal frameworks kept failing Nigerian women, likening the collective strength of women to a circle“unbreakable and undefeated.”
She urged women to identify, support, and stand by credible leaders, while emphasising the need for women to support one another politically and socially.
Meanwhile, Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun, said the theme “Give to Gain” underscores the strong link between women’s progress and societal development, encouraging women to consistently stand up for themselves and support others.
