The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, says it has deepened interventions for women, young adults, widows, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the last one year under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Cecilia- Dada, stated this at the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing in Alausa, stated that the Ministry remained focused on protecting the vulnerable, promoting gender equality, strengthening families and reducing poverty across the state.
She also noted that programmes delivered were inclusive, impact-driven and community-focused to ensure residents in grassroots areas continued to receive support for better quality of life.
The Commissioner attributed the progress recorded to the governor’s people-centered leadership and commitment to social inclusion.
“His governance philosophy recognizes that meaningful development can only be achieved when opportunities and social protection are extended to the most vulnerable,” she said.
Dada said WAPA expanded vocational and empowerment initiatives, strengthened advocacy and response mechanisms against domestic and sexual violence, and promoted economic opportunities for women and young adults.
The ministry also deepened interventions targeted at disadvantaged residents to restore dignity, build resilience and improve livelihoods.
To widen impact, the ministry intensified strategic collaborations with development partners, civil society organisations, community stakeholders and religious groups.
Dada said the partnerships helped expand programme reach while promoting shared responsibility in tackling social challenges.
She said interventions for young adults were scaled up through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship support and empowerment programmes designed to improve employability and encourage self-reliance.
According to her, the initiatives are helping beneficiaries achieve economic stability while contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable social development.
The Commissioner said the briefing provided a platform for accountability and public reflection on policies and reforms implemented by the ministry in line with the governor’s development agenda.
She pledged that WAPA would continue to strengthen social protection systems and deliver programmes that uplift women and empower families across Lagos.
Dada also gave a detailed breakdown of milestones, reforms and outcomes recorded by the ministry’s various departments and agencies during the presentation of achievements at the briefing.
