Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for greater inclusivity in governance, stressing that women must remain at the centre of Nigeria’s development and nation-building agenda.

Speaking on Tuesday at the 25th National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, the governor commended the organisation’s 25-year legacy of empowering women and strengthening families.

Delivering his goodwill message on the conference theme, “25 Years of Visionary Legacy: Inspiring the Next Generation,” Sanwo-Olu said legacy is not just about the past but about shaping the future. He noted that the women who founded COWLSO had laid a foundation that continues to inspire leaders, innovators, and change agents.

“Inspiring the next generation goes beyond mentorship,” he said. “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.”

The governor praised COWLSO’s core values of compassion, collaboration, and continuity, describing them as the pillars of its 25-year success story. He urged participants to use the conference to nurture leadership, promote inclusivity, and sustain women’s central role in national progress.

Joining virtually, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu lauded COWLSO’s impact and urged women to continue strengthening families, communities, and the nation. She paid tribute to the organisation’s founder, the late Mrs. Olufunmilayo Omobolaji Johnson, wife of Lagos State’s first military governor, describing her as “the mother who gave us the wings to fly.”

Wife of the Lagos State Governor and COWLSO Chairperson, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described the theme as timely and inspiring, noting that it calls for reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment to women’s empowerment.

“Over the past 25 years, COWLSO has remained a formidable platform for empowering women, promoting family values, and supporting government initiatives through impactful programmes in healthcare, education, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and social welfare,” she said.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu added that the annual conference continues to serve as a rallying point for women from diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas, build networks, and strengthen their capacity to drive positive change in society.