The Federal Government, in partnership with the World Bank and the Ekiti State Government, has officially launched the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) and commenced the disbursement of Community Investment Funds (CIF) to Women Affinity Groups across the state.
The initiative, unveiled by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, marks a significant step in the Federal Government's drive to expand women's economic participation, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during the launch ceremony, the minister described the programme as more than a financial intervention, noting that it is designed to create sustainable economic structures that will empower women at the grassroots level and improve their long-term livelihoods.
According to her, the project focuses on strengthening enterprise development, promoting financial inclusion, enhancing vocational and business skills, and fostering community-based economic organisation through Women Affinity Groups (WAGs). These groups serve as platforms through which women can save collectively, access training, receive business support and benefit from investment opportunities.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim disclosed that implementation activities in Ekiti State began in June 2024 and have already yielded remarkable results. She revealed that nearly 1,500 Women Affinity Groups have been established across communities in the state, bringing together more than 25,000 women engaged in various productive and income-generating ventures.
She explained that the programme is already producing measurable economic outcomes through improved savings culture, increased investment participation and stronger entrepreneurial activities among beneficiaries.
The Community Investment Funds being disbursed are expected to provide additional capital to women-owned businesses and cooperative ventures, enabling beneficiaries to expand operations, create jobs and improve household incomes.
The minister stressed that empowering women remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth, noting that women play a critical role in community development and national prosperity.
How to Participate
Programme officials have clarified that there is currently no general online application portal or deadline for individual registration. Instead, eligible women are encouraged to join or form Women Affinity Groups within participating communities. Beneficiaries are typically women aged 18 years and above who are involved in farming, trading, artisan work or other economic activities.
The Nigeria for Women Programme has also warned members of the public against fraudulent websites and social media links claiming to offer grants or registration opportunities. According to project officials, participation is free and women should obtain information only through recognised state project offices and official programme channels.
The official programme website is:
The scale-up programme builds on the success of the previous phase, which supported hundreds of thousands of women through Women Affinity Groups and savings initiatives. The new phase aims to reach millions of women nationwide by improving access to finance, skills development, markets and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Stakeholders at the launch expressed optimism that the initiative would further strengthen women's economic independence and contribute to grassroots development across Ekiti State and beyond.