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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, has explained the critical role women play in nation-building, and made a case for them to be encouraged, supported, and included in governance.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at the Governor Sanwo-Olu at the 2025 annual women conference (25th edition) held in Lagos on Tuesday.
The conference is organised annually by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO). The theme for this year’s event is: “25 years of visionary legacy: Inspiring the next generation.”
The governor emphasised the need to bolster inclusivity in the nation’s governance structure to ensure that women remain integral part of nation-building.
According to him, ‘’As we reflect on this silver jubilee, we must appreciate that COWLSO’s enduring strength lies not only in its programmes but in the values it represents — compassion, collaboration, and continuity. The women who began this journey have handed down a vision that continues to inspire new leaders, innovators, and change agents.
“Inspiring the next generation” means more than mentorship; it means modelling excellence, integrity, and resilience. It means empowering our daughters and young women to believe that no dream is too distant, no height too high, and no boundary too strong to break. The future of Lagos — and indeed our nation — depends on how boldly we equip our women to lead with courage and conviction,” he noted.
Sanwo-Olu reminded the gathering that the next chapter of COWLSO’s story would not be written by history, but by the actions “we take today — to nurture leadership, to promote inclusivity, and to ensure that women remain at the heart of development and progress.’’
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On her part, Nigeria’s first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who joined the conference online, pointed out the need to nurture families, strengthen communities and inspire a generation of women across the country.
‘’We cannot celebrate 25 years of COWLSO without honouring our past.
“We celebrate the legacy and vision of the founder of COWLSO, our mother, late Olufunmilayo Omobolaji Johnson, wife of the first military governor of Lagos State, who gave us the wings to fly.’’
Also speaking, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos State governor, who is the chairman of COWLSO, the theme of the conference was timely and instructive, as it “challenges us to reflect on the journey of the past two and a half decades, appreciate our collective achievements, and recommit ourselves to nurturing the next generation of women leaders, professionals, and changemakers.
‘’Over the past 25 years, COWLSO has remained a formidable platform for empowering women, promoting family values, and supporting government initiatives through carefully designed programmes in healthcare, education, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and social welfare.
‘’Through this annual conference, women from all walks of life have found a rallying point to exchange ideas, build networks, and sharpen their capacity to influence positive change in society,” she added.
