LAGOS STATE CHAMPIONS GENDER EQUITY IN PROCUREMENT, AFFIRMS WOMEN’S ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION AS A DRIVER OF STATE DEVELOPMENT
Lagos State has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equity and women’s economic empowerment through public procurement. This was highlighted in the keynote address delivered by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance and Chairman, Governing Board, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, at the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Gender-Responsive Public Procurement.
The event, held at Eridan City Ltd, Oluwalogbon House, Alausa, Ikeja, was organized by UN Women in collaboration with the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency. It convened key stakeholders from government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), women-owned enterprises, the private sector, and civil society organizations.
In his remarks, the Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahmud Tajudeen Alao, emphasized that increasing women’s participation in business would not only expand the state’s tax base but also foster inclusive growth and contribute significantly to sustainable development. He reaffirmed Lagos State’s dedication to supporting initiatives that promote women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion.
“Empowering women to participate fully in economic life is not just a matter of equity, but a smart economic decision that drives human development, fosters inclusive growth, and supports business prosperity,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rianat Onigbanjo noted that gender-responsive public procurement is a transformative strategy, not just a policy discourse. She described it as a tool for social and economic change that creates space for women to thrive as entrepreneurs, suppliers, and service providers. She emphasized that the state’s procurement policies must reflect fairness, diversity, and accountability.
The Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), represented by Chief State Counsel, Ms. Omobolanle Fasanya, highlighted the importance of integrating gender considerations into procurement policies. “Deliberate inclusion of women-owned businesses is a vital step towards economic equity,” encouragedcontinued investment in capacity building, training for procurement officials, and provision of resources to women entrepreneurs. He also called for strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure accountability and measurable progress.
In his address, the Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, described the dialogue as a pivotal moment in institutionalizing inclusive procurement systems that promote social justice and gender parity.
“This dialogue is more than a meeting of minds, it is a clarion call to action,” he declared. “We are transforming our procurement systems to serve as instruments of economic empowerment, particularly for women-led businesses.”
Mr. Onafowote announced the development of a Gender Policy Framework for Inclusive Procurement, a landmark initiative already approved by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. The framework mandates that a minimum of 10% of eligible public contracts be awarded to women-owned businesses, in line with the Lagos State Public Procurement Law.
“This is not tokenism,” he stressed. “It is a strategic intervention aimed at correcting systemic imbalances and unlocking the full economic potential of women in Lagos State.”
He outlined key initiatives by the Agency, including:
- Training of Procurement officers across MDAs,
- Establishment of a Gender Desk within the Agency to support women entrepreneurs, and
- Empowerment of 50 women-led businesses through the “Women’s Ideology Programme,” resulting in 10 registrations on the state’s procurement portal and 5 businesses already securing public contracts.
“These successes demonstrate what we have always believed, women are not just capable of competing; they are capable of winning,” Mr. Onafowote added.
He emphasized the need for sustained stakeholder engagement, effective implementation, and capacity building, particularly through mentorship and improved access to finance.
In her remarks, UN Women representative, Princess Layo Okeowo, praised Lagos State for its leadership and pledged continued partnership to deepen gender-responsive procurement. She also advocated for increased awareness and training to enable more women participate effectively in public procurement processes. The High-Level Dialogue marks a significant step in positioning public procurement in Lagos as a catalyst for equity, opportunity, and transformative development.
AKANJI AYOOLA AFUSAT
HEAD, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
24TH JUNE, 2025.
Last modified: June 26, 2025
