Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has urged accomplished women in business, professional practice and public service to mentor younger women, create opportunities for them and use their influence to remove barriers limiting the next generation.
The governor made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the 26th Annual National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Anchored in Purpose: Be the Blueprint,” Sanwo-Olu encouraged women to look beyond personal achievements and focus on the opportunities they create, the lives they influence and the legacies they leave for future generations.
He stressed that younger women should have access to better opportunities than their predecessors, while girls should be able to pursue their ambitions without being hindered by circumstances beyond their control.
Acknowledging the economic challenges facing Nigerian families, the governor noted that women continue to play vital roles in sustaining businesses, supporting households, educating children and contributing to national development.
However, he maintained that resilience alone was insufficient to address the challenges women face, emphasising the need for practical support, including affordable financing and market access for small business owners, meaningful employment for young graduates, accessible healthcare for mothers and a safe environment for raising children.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment, citing initiatives such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), skills acquisition programmes, entrepreneurship support, and investments in education and healthcare.
He also highlighted the importance of institutional continuity, noting that COWLSO had sustained its activities across successive administrations through the contributions of different generations of women.
According to him, although leadership tenures are temporary, strong institutions and opportunities created through purposeful leadership can endure beyond individual administrations.
The governor described the 2026 conference as particularly significant for him and his wife, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, as it marked the eighth and final edition they would host during their tenure as governor and First Lady of Lagos State.
He commended his wife for her dedication to COWLSO and her commitment to improving the welfare of women, children and families. He also appreciated the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, alongside COWLSO’s leadership, members and other stakeholders who had contributed to the conference’s success.
Reflecting on the organisation’s 25th anniversary celebration in 2025, themed “25 Years of Visionary Legacy: Inspiring the Next Generation,” Sanwo-Olu urged future COWLSO leaders to build on the foundation established by its founders and previous administrations.
He called on them to preserve the organisation’s core values, strengthen effective programmes and respond to the evolving needs of women and families.
The governor noted that the conference’s true impact should be measured by the businesses it helps grow, professional relationships it fosters, young women it mentors and opportunities it creates beyond the event.
He urged participants to share their knowledge, use their influence responsibly and help others overcome obstacles before declaring the conference open, expressing hope that its deliberations would produce meaningful and lasting benefits.