Lagos Champions Gender Equity in Procurement, Boosts Women’s Role in Economic Growth

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equity and women’s economic empowerment through public procurement, positioning women’s participation in economic life as a critical driver of inclusive and sustainable development.

This commitment was reiterated during a keynote address by the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Governing Board, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Abayomi Oluyomi, at a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Gender-Responsive Public Procurement.

The event, held at Eridan City Ltd, Oluwalogbon House, Alausa, Ikeja, was organised by UN Women in collaboration with the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency.

Attended by stakeholders from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), women-owned businesses, private sector leaders, and civil society organisations, the dialogue sought to institutionalise procurement policies that are inclusive, fair, and transformative.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mahmud Tajudeen Alao, Oluyomi noted that enhancing women’s participation in procurement not only broadens the state’s tax base but also accelerates inclusive economic growth.

“Empowering women to fully participate in economic life is not just a question of equity—it is a smart economic strategy that drives human development and business prosperity,” he stated.

Also speaking at the event, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, represented by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Rianat Onigbanjo, described gender-responsive public procurement as a powerful tool for socio-economic change.

“This is more than a policy conversation—it’s a transformative strategy that creates space for women to thrive as entrepreneurs, suppliers, and service providers,” she said.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), represented by Chief State Counsel, Ms. Omobolanle Fasanya, stressed the need for intentional inclusion of women-owned businesses in procurement.

“Deliberate inclusion is a vital step towards economic equity,” he said, calling for greater investment in capacity building for procurement officials and improved access to resources for women entrepreneurs. He also advocated for robust monitoring and evaluation to ensure accountability.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Fatai Idowu Onafowote, described the dialogue as a defining moment in the drive to entrench inclusive procurement systems in the state.

“This is more than a meeting of minds, it’s a clarion call to action. We are transforming procurement into a tool for economic empowerment, especially for women-led businesses,” he declared.

Onafowote also unveiled a landmark Gender Policy Framework for Inclusive Procurement, already approved by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, which 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, it’s a strategic move to correct systemic imbalances and unlock the full economic potential of women,” he said.

The Director-General outlined several initiatives being implemented by the Agency: training procurement officers across MDAs on inclusive procurement practices, establishment of a Gender Desk to support women entrepreneurs and empowerment of 50 women-led businesses through the Women’s Ideology Programme, with 10 already registered on the state’s procurement portal and 5 having successfully secured public contracts

“These achievements affirm what we’ve always known women are not just capable of competing; they are capable of winning,” he added, emphasising the importance of continued stakeholder engagement, mentorship, and improved access to finance.

In her remarks, Princess Layo Okeowo, UN Women Representative, commended Lagos State for its leadership in driving gender-responsive procurement and pledged sustained partnership to build capacity, raise awareness, and increase women’s participation in public procurement.

The High-Level Dialogue represents a significant milestone in using public procurement as a platform for equity, opportunity, and inclusive development in Lagos State.