The Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has advised women to leverage digital technology and innovations to build a better future for themselves and their families.
Sanwo-Olu advised on Friday in Lagos during the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration by the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA).
The event had the theme, Accelerate Action.
NOWA organised the event in collaboration with the United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN).
Sanwo-Olu said that digital tools held the potential to bridge gender gaps, enhance access to opportunities and promote women’s rights.
“However, we must do more to expand opportunities and access to funding for women and girls, ensuring that they can harness the full potential of innovation for sustainable development.
“In Lagos, we have implemented deliberate policies and programmes to foster equity, ensuring that women thrive and succeed.
“The state government actively supports women through various ministries, departments and agencies, offering grants, opportunities and capacity-building initiatives,” she said.
She said that Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu believed in gender equality and had been recognised as a ‘HeForShe’ champion and ambassador.
She said that her office complemented the efforts through interventions and support programmes designed to uplift women, youths and children.
“These include the Empowerment Forum, Boy Child Initiative and Schools Support Initiative, among other impactful initiatives that help residents to realise their full potential.
“I encourage everyone to take advantage of these programmes which are aimed at creating a more inclusive and progressive society,” she said.
Sanwo-Olu praised the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for interventions through the Renewed Hope Initiative programmes aimed at empowering women.
She commended the efforts of NOWA in promoting social cohesion, education, healthcare and skill acquisition among naval officers’ wives and within communities.
She said that NOWA’s initiatives had not only transformed the lives of naval officers’ wives but also had a ripple effect on the broader community.
The NOWA Coordinator in Lagos State, Mrs Josephine Oamen, called for the urgent pursuit of women’s rights, inclusivity and equal opportunities to accelerate action toward advancing gender equity and women empowerment.
Oamen said that women had broken barriers and rewritten narratives.
“Today, as we come together, we re-affirm our pledge to fast-track progress, ensuring that our voices are heard, our contributions are valued and our potential is fully realised.
“It is a moment to move beyond conversations and into decisive actions that will create a lasting change,” the coordinator said.
Oamen said that Nigerian women had been at the forefront of progress for decades, leading movements, breaking barriers and shaping the nation’s future.
“Despite their resilience and contributions, they continue to face deep-rooted inequalities in education, politics, the workplace and personal safety.
“This is unacceptable. To accelerate action means to move faster, push harder and take immediate, decisive steps toward gender equality.
“It is about breaking free from slow, incremental progress and demanding real, measurable change now, not decades from now,” she said.
The coordinator said that accelerating action was not just the responsibility of the government but required every Nigerian to take a stand.
“Men must become allies, challenging toxic masculinity and supporting women’s rights; religious and traditional leaders must also advocate gender equality in their communities.”
The President of UNAN, Prof. Oluremi Olutimo, said that Accelerate Action was a global initiative to recognise tactics, materials and initiatives contributing to women’s progress and to encourage and strengthen their utilisation.
Olutimo said that there were still many obstacles to gender equality but expressed optimism that, with the right steps and adequate assistance, women everywhere would make progress.
