The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has promised full support for women-owned and women-led businesses in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement on the official website of the Lagos State Government on Thursday, November 2.

The governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, made the pledge during a high-level policy dialogue organised by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency in collaboration with U.N. Women, held recently at Protea Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.

He noted that the theme of the event: “Advancing Affirmative Procurement for Women-owned/Women-led Businesses in Lagos State,” aligned with his administration’s policy on women empowerment, socio-economic emancipation, gender equality, and social inclusion, which formed part of the T.H.E.M.E. Plus Agenda.

Sanwo-Olu also pointed out that encouraging and supporting women entrepreneurs would lead to environmentally sustainable business models and a more resilient and ethical business environment because women are known as “drivers of sustainable practices and social responsibility.”

The Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, further stated that women-led businesses, not only in Lagos State but in Nigeria as a whole, need to be adequately benefiting from public procurement opportunities.

The Head of Service, who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Sustainable Development Goals in the State, Mrs. Bose George, expressed delight that the policy dialogue would bring about a new course of action that would serve as an impetus for the economic empowerment of women-owned businesses, particularly about ensuring increased access to the various opportunities in public procurement in the State.