Lagos, Nigeria – June 16, 2025
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo, has been honoured at the 2025 Ruby Women’s Summit for her outstanding advocacy and support for women entrepreneurship and empowerment in Nigeria.
Mrs. Kalesanwo received the Ruby Award for Leadership in Women Development at the summit held in Lagos, where she was recognised for her pivotal role in advancing gender-inclusive economic policies and initiatives that have positively impacted thousands of women across the state.
Organised by the Ruby Network International, the summit brought together leaders in business, government, and civil society to celebrate women’s achievements and discuss strategies for empowering more women economically.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Kalesanwo reaffirmed WAPA’s commitment to providing women with the tools, training, and resources necessary to thrive in entrepreneurship.
“This recognition is not just for me, but for every woman in Lagos who dares to dream and build despite challenges,” she said. “We will continue to drive inclusive programs that uplift women and bridge the gender economic gap.”
The Ruby Summit also featured panel discussions, exhibitions, and mentorship sessions aimed at connecting aspiring women entrepreneurs with successful role models and financial institutions.
This honour adds to the growing list of accolades received by WAPA for its impactful grassroots initiatives such as vocational training, startup grants, and business clinics targeted at low-income women.