Ogun empowers women with financial literacy

To combat poverty, the Ogun State Government has empowered women through the ‘Oko-Owo Dapo’ empowerment project, which teaches them financial literacy.

Adijat Adeleye, Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, presented a keynote presentation at the beginning of the ‘Training Of Trainers Workshop on Financial Education’ in Abeokuta, stating that the event will allow participants to share their expertise with others.

“Women should see themselves as independent, not a liability to their husbands and communities. I therefore urge us to take this training seriously to reduce poverty and make life meaningful for ourselves and the society at large,’’ she said.

Financial literacy among women has recently arisen as a contemporary problem, prompting calls for collaborative initiatives to promote equity.

According to a 2018 survey conducted by Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access, 41 percent of adult women did not have access to any formal financial products such as payments, savings, credit, insurance, or pensions, compared to 33 percent of men, resulting in an eight percent financial inclusion gender gap.

Bolanle Fadairo, state project coordinator of the Nigeria for Women Project, stated that the training’s goal was to build and promote knowledge, attitude, and abilities in money management, resulting in an improvement in their livelihood and well-being.

Funke Koleowo stated in the talk titled ‘Key Points on Financial Education’ that an entrepreneur must strive to expand investments, save, maintain financial discipline, and spend wisely in order to achieve inclusive financial management.

Muinat Lawal of Odeda local government council thanked Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun state, for the training, saying it would teach them how to enhance their livelihood and pledged to share the expertise with other members.