Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has pledged to place women at the centre of Lagos State’s economic development strategy, promising to strengthen their access to finance, infrastructure, technology, skills and markets to unlock their full economic potential.
In the same vein, Founder and President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Mr. Aliko Dangote, underscored the need for Africa to translate its potential into economic prosperity, stating that political independence must be complemented by economic independence, particularly through local production, value addition and industrial development.
The duo spoke at the 25th anniversary of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), with the theme, “Rooted, Rising, Ready: Born in Africa, built for the world,” held on Thursday at Eko Hotels and Suites.
Hamzat emphasised that Africa’s ability to compete globally depends on moving women from potential to preparation and from preparation to leadership, noting that “Women will not be an afterthought in Lagos’ economic strategy. They will be at the centre.”
He noted that although women possess the creativity, entrepreneurial capacity and expertise to drive economic growth, their contributions are often constrained by limited access to affordable financing, market opportunities and business support systems.
While highlighting the Lagos State Government’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment, Hamzat referenced the State’s entrepreneurship, apprenticeship, skills acquisition, micro-enterprise support and agricultural development initiatives, which have recorded significant milestones, including over 28,000 graduates from state skills acquisition centres and 17,000 women and young people reached through micro-enterprise support programmes.
The APC Governorship Candidate further called for improved data collection to ensure that women’s economic contributions are adequately captured in government planning and budgeting, noting that measurable outcomes and accountability must support effective policies.
Drawing from his engagements with market women and traders, the Deputy Governor observed that many entrepreneurs possess valuable assets but lack the knowledge and documentation required to leverage them for financing, stressing the need to simplify business registration, property documentation and access to credit.
“I look forward to a Lagos where women can build and scale competitive enterprises, access new markets, create employment and contribute meaningfully to wealth creation,” he said, adding that the next chapter of WIMBIZ’s 25-year journey should translate its achievements into stronger businesses, better jobs, increased investment and wider economic opportunities for future generations.
Continuing his address, Dangote observed that despite Africa’s significant contribution to cocoa production, the continent captures only a limited share of the enormous economic value generated by the chocolate market.
He therefore called for a deliberate shift from exporting raw materials to developing local processing capacity, strengthening indigenous enterprises and ensuring that African economies derive greater value from their natural resources.
Besides, he also emphasised that achieving economic independence requires collective responsibility, strategic partnerships and purposeful leadership, noting that the challenges confronting Africa cannot be addressed by individuals or governments acting in isolation.
“I urge women, particularly those in leadership and business, to leverage their expertise, networks and influence to drive innovation, expand economic opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the continent’s development,” he said, maintaining that the next phase of women’s advancement must go beyond representation to active participation in shaping policies, building industries and creating sustainable economic value for future generations.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Conference Chairperson, Bennedikter Molokwu, reaffirmed the organization’s readiness to take women’s leadership, empowerment, and economic participation to the global stage, stressing that true leadership is not measured by individual or organisational achievements alone but by the opportunities created for others to thrive.
Molokwu reiterated that women emerging as leaders in the United Kingdom, the United States and other parts of the world underscores the importance of building platforms that inspire, empower and prepare the next generation of women leaders. She further emphasised that sharing success stories and institutional milestones helps young people expand their imagination and recognise the possibilities within their reach.
