Sanwo-Olu, wife, challenges women to purposeful leadership

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and his wife, Dr Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, have urged women to discover their purpose, maximize their potential and become positive examples for others to emulate.

They emphasized that purposeful leadership remains essential in a rapidly changing world.

The Governor and First Lady made the appeal on Tuesday at the 26th National Women’s Conference organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).

They also urged women in public service, business and other professions to use their experience and influence to make the path easier and more successful for those who come behind them.

Speaking on the conference theme: “Anchored in Purpose: Being the Blueprint”, Governor Sanwo-Olu said women who have risen to positions of influence should look beyond personal achievements and take deliberate steps to prepare younger women for leadership and professional success.

She challenged accomplished women to consider how many younger women they were mentoring, how many doors they were opening, and what opportunities they were creating for girls and women who might otherwise face barriers to realizing their potential.

According to the governor, young women entering the workforce today should have access to more opportunities than the previous generation, while girls growing up in Lagos communities should be able to pursue their ambitions without being held back by circumstances beyond their control.

Sanwo-Olu described the conference as particularly meaningful to him and his wife, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Sanwo-Olu, as it marked the eighth and final edition that they would host in their current capacities as Governor and First Lady.

He expressed gratitude for the trip, as well as praised his wife for the dedication, compassion and commitment she brings to COWLSO’s leadership, while acknowledging the contributions of members and other stakeholders responsible for the organization’s programs and annual conference.

The governor also highlighted COWLSO’s continuity through successive administrations as an example of how institutions can sustain their impact beyond the tenure of individual leaders.

“Leadership is temporary, but the institutions we strengthen and the opportunities we create can last long after our tenure,” he said, underlining the importance of building structures and initiatives that continue to benefit society over time.

She noted that women’s economic participation remains important to the development of Lagos State, highlighting government interventions in entrepreneurship, skill acquisition, education and healthcare as part of efforts to expand opportunities for women and youth.

While acknowledging progress in these areas, Sanwo-Olu argued that the effectiveness of government policies and social interventions should ultimately be judged by their impact on the daily lives of residents.

She said the responsibility to create a better future is shared by government, institutions and individuals, urging women to make mentorship, inclusion and the advancement of others central to their understanding of leadership.

Reflecting on the history of COWLSO, the First Lady who is also the Chairperson of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), acknowledged the contributions of its founding matriarch, the late Dame Olufunmilayo Johnson, and subsequent First Ladies of Lagos State, particularly Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who relaunched the organization in 1999, as well as Dame Abimbola Fashola and Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, whose leadership contributed to its growth.

She described COWLSO as a platform for women’s mobilisation, leadership and development, established to complement government efforts through interventions in education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, environmental protection and social welfare.

Reviewing the achievements of the organization during her tenure, the First Lady revealed that COWLSO has renovated and improved 50 schools across the six educational districts of Lagos State since 2022, including 26 special needs schools, as part of efforts to improve learning environments and promote inclusive education.

Sanwo-Olu’s wife also disclosed that COWLSO has supported more than 70 licensed orphanages through need-based interventions since 2020, aimed at improving the living conditions and opportunities available to vulnerable children and other residents entrusted to their care.

Other interventions highlighted include the completion of the Ogombo Senior Secondary School project, the renovation of the COWLSO Legacy Villa and the rehabilitation of the Boys Recreational and Vocational Center in Isheri and the Tajudeen Olusi Girls Vocational and Rehabilitative Center in Eti-Osa, to name a few.

Tracing the evolution of the National Women’s Conference, Dr. Sanwo-Olu said each edition reflects the changing needs and aspirations of women, from learning and adapting to personal development, pushing boundaries and fostering visionary legacies.

The COWLSO president explained that the 2026 theme calls for women to stay firmly grounded in their purpose while developing the ability to respond effectively to changing circumstances.

He particularly acknowledged the support of the wife of the Deputy Governor and Vice President of COWLSO, Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Hamzat, describing their eight-year working relationship as built on cooperation, shared responsibility and commitment to the vision of the organisation.

Ms. Sanwo-Olu urged participants to leave the conference with a renewed commitment to making a difference in their respective spheres of influence, stressing that the true measure of purposeful leadership lies in its positive impact on others.

The First Lady expressed appreciation to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, for their support of COWLSO and its programmes.

He also commended the conference planning committee, led by Dr. (Mrs.) Olayemi Oke-Osanyitolu, together with COWLSO members, development partners, sponsors and other stakeholders for their contributions to the organisation’s activities.