Lagos trains over 1,200 women in financial literacy across five divisions

 

By Kayode Olopade 

In commemoration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s six years in office, the Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has announced the successful training of over 1,200 women in financial literacy across the five divisions of the state.

This was revealed on Friday, May 16, 2025, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, during a ministerial press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

Dr. Finnih noted that the empowerment initiative was part of broader efforts by the SDGs Office to tackle poverty, promote gender equality, and ensure inclusive growth, especially in significantly underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

According to her, “10% of Lagosians live in significantly underserved and hard-to-reach communities,” highlighting the need for targeted interventions to bridge inequality gaps. 

She stated that the SDGs Office had completed a needs assessment survey in five of such communities to better understand and address local challenges.

“We believe empowering women through financial literacy gives them the tools to become economically independent and active contributors to their communities,” Finnih said.

She emphasised that the initiative aligns with the global goals of ending poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods. 

The training covered practical modules in budgeting, savings, investment, and small business management, tailored to the realities of local women entrepreneurs and traders.

Dr. Finnih also addressed related challenges affecting vulnerable groups in the state, particularly students in tertiary institutions.

 She disclosed the findings of a research study conducted among students of Lagos State University (LASU) and Lagos State Polytechnic, which revealed concerning mental health statistics—22.5% of students were found to experience depression, while 21.6% reported suicidal ideation.

She said, “The office is working with LASU, LASUCOM, and other tertiary institutions in Lagos towards creating permanent centres for counselling of identified students.”

The Special Adviser further reiterated the state’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

She revealed that Lagos scored 74% on its EARTH SCORE, a metric indicating the state’s progress in implementing sustainable policies.

According to her, “As part of its forward-looking initiatives, the SDGs Office is also planning the second edition of its Sustainability Summit for September 2025, following the success of the inaugural summit in 2024. 

“The summit aims to bring together captains of industry and policy stakeholders to discuss sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies in Lagos State.”

Dr. Finnih added by reiterating the Lagos State Government’s dedication to “leaving no one behind” in its sustainable development drive, especially women and young people in vulnerable communities.