The Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has provided ₦200 million in direct business grants to 2,000 constituents, in an initiative aimed at boosting women’s economic participation and supporting grassroots entrepreneurship across the district.

The empowerment was carried out during the second edition of the Lagos West Women’s Assembly and Cash Empowerment Programme at the LTV Blue Roof Pavilion in Ikeja.

Held under the theme, “From Voice to Action: Empowering Women for Impact,” the programme attracted political leaders, community stakeholders, women entrepreneurs and market leaders representing Lagos West’s 28 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.

Adebule said the programme was intended to translate conversations around women’s empowerment into tangible financial assistance for small business owners and families facing the effects of current economic pressures.

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District, contributed ₦100 million to the empowerment initiative. The contribution fulfilled a pledge he made at an earlier empowerment programme in January 2026.

With matching funds added to the contribution, the total empowerment package rose to ₦200 million. The funds were distributed as micro and mini seed grants to 2,000 selected traders, artisans and entrepreneurs.

“When each beneficiary receives this business cash support, our message is clear: we believe in you, we value your contributions and we are committed to supporting your dreams,” Adebule said.

The senator encouraged the beneficiaries to deploy the grants as seed capital for sustainable businesses capable of generating employment and increasing household incomes.

Adebule also used the occasion to review her record since taking office in 2023, highlighting legislative activities and infrastructure projects carried out across Lagos West.

According to her, she has sponsored 12 bills and co-sponsored six others, bringing the total number of legislative measures to 18. The measures cover issues including child protection, legal reform, land administration, education and anti-corruption.

She also identified motions concerning Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis as part of her legislative interventions.

In healthcare infrastructure, Adebule highlighted a 40-bed healthcare facility in Ojokoro LCDA, which she said was ready for commissioning. She also mentioned an ongoing 15-bed health centre in the riverine Igbolobi community in Ojo Local Government Area.

Her listed projects further include completed primary school blocks in Mafoluku, Oshodi; Awodi-Ora, Ajeromi-Ifelodun; St. Michael, Ojo; and Oregun High School, Ikeja.

Other constituency interventions cited by the senator include a commissioned Skills Acquisition Centre in Odi-Olowo, Mushin, and an ultra-modern Youth Development Centre in Ibereko, Badagry, which she said was nearing completion.

The youth centre features computer-based test facilities, hostels and a micro-stadium.

Adebule said her constituency projects also cover solar-powered streetlights across the 28 LGAs and LCDAs, step-down electricity transformers for seven communities and solar-powered mega-boreholes in six high-density areas.

She also pointed to the construction of a modern lock-up shop market at Amikanle in Agbado-Oke Odo LCDA.

Political leaders and women advocates who attended the programme praised Adebule for placing poverty reduction, entrepreneurship and grassroots development among her priorities.

Adebayo Olasoju, Chairman of Isolo LCDA and Director-General of Adebule’s Campaign Organisation, described the senator as synonymous with empowerment and appealed to beneficiaries to use the grants responsibly.

He said the initiative showed why individuals at the grassroots should receive support and urged beneficiaries to direct the funds towards productive activities.

Former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, also praised Adebule’s emphasis on women’s economic empowerment.

Tallen said investing in women could produce broader economic gains, noting that empowered women could establish businesses, create employment and improve the welfare of their families.

She called on women who attain leadership positions to assist others and open opportunities for the next generation.

Tallen further advised beneficiaries to put the grants into their businesses instead of using the money for immediate consumption.

“A woman selling food is an entrepreneur, an investor and an employer,” she said, while also urging parents to encourage girls to pursue education in science and technology.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, used his remarks to address political accountability, grassroots mobilisation and civic participation.

Ojelabi commended Adebule for keeping her commitments to constituents and said the empowerment programme was consistent with the party’s development agenda and poverty alleviation efforts.

He also called on beneficiaries and other constituents to stay involved in the political process ahead of the next election cycle.

Ojelabi stressed the importance of the Permanent Voter’s Card, urging eligible residents to collect their PVCs when available and take an active part in future elections.

The Lagos West Women’s Assembly and Cash Empowerment Programme combines direct financial assistance with skills development, infrastructure projects and legislative interventions, reflecting wider efforts to strengthen economic participation at the grassroots.

Source: msme Africa online