The Women Protection Organisation (WOPO) was founded in 1996 by Dr. Godwin Adekunle Towobola and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Bamijoko Towobola, deeply rooted in compassion and a shared mission to support women in crisis. It all began in a modest home in Lagos Island, a small yet vibrant community in the heart of Lagos State, Nigeria. The couple gathered a group of women, each of whom had experienced various forms of abuse—ranging from physical and emotional violence to social neglect by spouses and in-laws.

Before WOPO was formally established, the Towobolas had already been extending help to vulnerable women and children—offering food supplies, covering school fees and hospital bills, donating clothing, and even securing shelter for homeless mothers and their children. Their consistent acts of kindness and community support naturally evolved into something much bigger: a formal structure through which they could scale their impact.

This led to the birth of The Women Protection Organisation (WOPO).

After several meetings with local and state authorities, the Lagos State Government granted WOPO the use of a community hall for its growing number of beneficiaries. At that point, the number of women supported had expanded to over thirty, all coming together for encouragement, support, and empowerment.

Shortly after, as Nigeria faced a growing public health crisis with the rising number of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), the Lagos State Government established the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) to tackle the epidemic. WOPO’s credibility and grassroots impact earned it a place among the selected organizations to support the awareness and intervention efforts.

LSACA provided training, resources, and toolkits to equip WOPO and other NGOs to raise awareness and provide support across communities. This pivotal collaboration marked a transformative period for WOPO—positioning it as a strong advocate for women’s reproductive health, education, empowerment, and good governance.

Over the years, WOPO’s consistent success in executing high-impact projects has earned it local and international recognition. The organization has since partnered with a range of development agencies and donors, receiving grants to implement specialized programs across both rural and urban areas.

What started as a small gathering in a living room has now become a beacon of hope and advocacy for countless women, youth, and children across Nigeria.