The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has pledged full support for women-owned and women-led businesses in the state, News About Nigeria gathered.
This commitment was made during a high-level policy dialogue organised by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency in collaboration with U.N. Women.
The event was held at the Protea Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, the governor expressed his administration’s dedication to women’s empowerment, socio-economic emancipation, gender equality, and social inclusion.
These principles are central to the T.H.E.M.E. Plus Agenda, an initiative that guides his administration.
The theme of the event, ‘Advancing Affirmative Procurement for Women-owned/Women-led Businesses in Lagos State’, aligns with these principles and emphasises the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs.
Sanwo-Olu emphasised that supporting women-led businesses would lead to more sustainable and ethical business practices, as women are known as drivers of sustainable and socially responsible business models.
Olabode Agoro, the Lagos State Head of Service, echoed the importance of ensuring that women-led businesses in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole benefit from public procurement opportunities.
The Head of Service, who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, the Office of Sustainable Development Goals in the State, Mrs. Bose George, expressed his satisfaction that the policy dialogue would pave the way for enhanced economic empowerment of women-owned businesses and greater access to public procurement opportunities in the state.
The commitment of the Lagos State government to support women in business is seen as a step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable business environment in the state.
