COWLSO boosts Lagos orphanages with N60m support

No fewer than 11 orphanages across Lagos have received N60m worth of household and welfare items in an intervention led by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, as the state government ramps up support for vulnerable children.

The donations, facilitated under the leadership of the First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, were presented on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the First Lady’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja, in what officials described as the sixth edition of the state-backed outreach to orphanages.

The N60m intervention covers both material supplies and financial support, including cheques designated for educational needs and medical care for children in the beneficiary homes.

Addressing the gathering, Mrs Sanwo-Olu said the programme reflected a sustained commitment to social inclusion and collective responsibility, noting that it embodied “compassion, unity, and the collective responsibility to care for the less privileged.”

She said the initiative has expanded significantly since its launch, with “over 70 orphanages” supported since 2020 through a combination of essential items and financial assistance.

Highlighting its growth, she added that the programme has “expanded from an initial intervention of N5.5m in 2020 to N60m in 2026,” describing the increase as evidence of deepening investment in welfare and inclusion.

According to her, the selection of the 11 beneficiary homes followed a “rigorous and transparent process” undertaken by a 33-member committee representing the five IBILE divisions — Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos and Epe, with decisions guided by “structured assessments and critical evaluation of needs to ensure fairness and impact.”

Items distributed included televisions, deep freezers, washing machines, generators, inverters, mattresses, food supplies and toiletries.

The First Lady stressed that the donations were “not arbitrary but tailored to address specific gaps and improve living conditions, operational efficiency, and overall well-being” of children in the homes.

She commended members of the coordinating team, including Azeezat Tijani and Bukola Akinloye, for their role in executing the programme, while also praising caregivers and orphanage operators for their dedication, describing them as “builders of hope and shapers of the future.”

Reaffirming the committee’s direction, Mrs Sanwo-Olu pledged continued investment in “impactful and people-centred initiatives” and urged stronger collaboration among government, private sector and civil society to build “a more inclusive society where every child is valued and given the opportunity to thrive.”

The beneficiary institutions are spread across several parts of Lagos, including Ipaja, Egbeda, Badagry, Amuwo Odofin, Ikorodu, Maryland, Yaba and Ibeju-Lekki.

Officials said the intervention forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the state’s social protection systems and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.