Lagos, March 6^th, 2025.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titilayo Oshodi, delivered a keynote address at the Lagos Continental International Women’s Day Celebration, where she reinforced the importance of driving gender equality forward through actionable policies and sustainable initiatives. 

The Lagos Continental International Women’s Day Celebration is an annual gathering that brings together leaders, policymakers, business executives, and changemakers to discuss critical issues affecting women and to celebrate progress toward gender equality. This year’s event, themed “The Action Blueprint: What It Takes to Drive Gender Equality Forward,” focused on practical steps toward empowering women, ensuring economic inclusion, and fostering sustainable development. It served as a platform for dialogue on how institutions, governments, and private sector players can create systems that support women’s advancement while addressing social and environmental challenges. 

Speaking at the event, Oshodi emphasized Lagos State’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and environmental sustainability. She highlighted the disproportionate exposure of women to environmental hazards, particularly from traditional cooking methods that rely on wood and charcoal, leading to severe health risks from indoor air pollution. In response, the Lagos State Government has implemented the 80-million Clean Cookstove Initiative, a program designed to provide clean, energy-efficient cookstoves to women, ensuring their protection from harmful smoke exposure while promoting environmental sustainability. As part of this initiative, beneficiaries also receive a monthly stipend, reinforcing financial empowerment alongside environmental protection. 

“Women are not just affected by climate change; they are key players in solving it. Our government is ensuring that women have the resources, education, and leadership opportunities needed to thrive in the green economy,” Oshodi stated. 

She further stressed that gender equality must be embedded across all sectors from education and leadership development to climate action and entrepreneurship. Lagos is already witnessing women-led businesses transforming waste into wealth, pioneering sustainable innovations, and leading in the circular economy. 

The International Women’s Day celebration at Lagos Continental provided an opportunity to reflect on these milestones while strengthening partnerships that drive progress. Oshodi reiterated that true change requires collaboration among government, businesses, civil society, and individuals. She emphasized that while the Lagos State Government has put key systems in place, it is through multi-sector partnerships and collective action that long-term gender equality and environmental sustainability will be achieved. 

Through the Office of Climate Change and Circular Economy, Lagos continues to champion policies that prioritize women’s well-being, economic inclusion, and environmental sustainability. As  Oshodi stated in her address, “The time for action is now. And together, we can and we will.”