LAGOS HOSTS SOUTH WEST PRE-COUNCIL TECHNICAL POLICY SENSITIZATION FOR 26TH NCWASD
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By; By: Balogun Ibrahim
The South West Pre-Council Technical Zonal Policy Sensitization ahead of the 26th National Council on Women Affairs and Social Development (NCWASD) was successfully held on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026, at Cordis Hotel, Ashabi Cole Street, Off Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The one-day technical meeting brought together delegates from the six South West states, including Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti State, alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, State Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development, development partners, civil society organisations, gender advocates, and other key stakeholders. The forum served as a strategic platform for reviewing policy memoranda, harmonising regional positions, and developing recommendations for presentation at the forthcoming 26th National Council on Women Affairs and Social Development.
The programme commenced with a welcome address delivered by the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, who warmly welcomed participants to Lagos State. She underscored the significance of the pre-council sensitization meeting in fostering regional collaboration and ensuring that the South West presents unified, practical, and people-centred policy recommendations at the national council.
She also reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to promoting the welfare of women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, and other vulnerable groups through responsive and inclusive policies.
The technical sessions focused on strengthening collaboration among stakeholders while addressing emerging issues affecting women, children, families, persons with disabilities, older persons, and other vulnerable members of society. Participants engaged in robust deliberations on gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, child protection, social inclusion, family welfare, poverty alleviation, institutional reforms, and strategies for improving social service delivery across the South West.
Mr. Alaba Olugbenga Joseph representing the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing policies and programmes that promote inclusive development, gender equity, and sustainable social protection. He encouraged states to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve data-driven planning, and adopt innovative approaches to addressing the challenges confronting women and vulnerable populations.
A major highlight of the meeting was the technical review of policy memoranda submitted by participating states and relevant institutions. Delegates critically examined the memoranda, made necessary observations and amendments, then harmonised regional positions to ensure that the South West speaks with one voice during the forthcoming National Council meeting.
Participants also emphasised the need for increased investment in women’s economic empowerment, stronger measures to combat gender-based violence, improved child welfare systems, enhanced support for persons with disabilities, and expanded social protection initiatives for vulnerable households. They further advocated stronger partnerships among government institutions, development partners, and civil society organisations to accelerate sustainable development across the region.
The meeting equally provided an opportunity for delegates to exchange experiences, share best practices, and discuss innovative interventions that have yielded positive outcomes within their respective states. The knowledge-sharing sessions reinforced the importance of collaboration in addressing common social development challenges across the South West.
At the end of the deliberations, participants adopted harmonised policy recommendations that will be presented as the collective position of the South West at the 26th National Council on Women Affairs and Social Development.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo, who expressed appreciation to the Honourable Commissioner, delegates from all participating states, officials of the Federal Ministry, development partners, and other stakeholders for their active participation and valuable contributions. She commended the spirit of cooperation demonstrated throughout the meeting and expressed confidence that the resolutions reached would contribute significantly to national policy formulation and improved social development outcomes.
The South West Pre-Council Technical Zonal Policy Sensitization ended on a successful note with participants reaffirming their commitment to sustained collaboration, effective policy implementation, and advancing initiatives that will improve the lives of women, children, families, and vulnerable groups across the South West and Nigeria as a whole.
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