The Kwara State Government and the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) in Ilorin have agreed to collaborate on a project aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment in the state.
During an advocacy visit to the state, Mrs. Afolashade Opeyemi Oluwakemi, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, and Comrade Issa Aremu, the Director General of MINILS, discussed the project’s objectives. The goal is to domesticate the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy in Kwara State, which was launched by the Federal Government in December 2023.
Aremu, who was represented by Hajia Biliqis Alaya, team lead of the Research, Development, and Project Center at MINILS, explained that the policy aims to guide investment in women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria.
He noted that several states, including Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, Plateau, Borno, and Akwa Ibom, have already domesticated the policy. Kwara State is next to strengthen and harmonize its interventions to improve women’s living conditions.
Aremu emphasized that the project has identified key areas where the Federal Government will invest to support women’s empowerment, including agriculture, education, entrepreneurship, technology, and financial inclusion. He assured the Commissioner that MINILS and the Development Research and Policy Centre (dRPC) will support Kwara State’s efforts to domesticate the policy.
Oluwakemi responded by assuring that the state government will key into the project and commit to improving women’s socio-economic lives. She highlighted the government’s commitment to empowering women and praised Governor Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his support of women’s development. She emphasized that women should not be limited to traditional roles and encouraged them to take on productive activities.
“We know that women are vulnerable in our society, and we’re aware that women have suffered in the past,” Oluwakemi said. “But our governor believes that when you empower women, you empower the nation. He has given us a conducive environment to express ourselves and bring out the best in us. We’re happy and will not disappoint him.”
