First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has provided ₦250 million to support 500 women in Bauchi State, with the goal of improving their social and economic livelihoods.
The grant is being implemented under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme, in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Speaking at the launch on Saturday, Tinubu represented by Aisha Mohammed, wife of the Bauchi State Governor said each beneficiary would receive ₦50,000 to start or grow a business.
She explained that the programme is designed to reach 18,500 women across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Each of the beneficiaries will receive N50,000 to recapitalise or strengthen their businesses. This is not a loan but a seed grant to support the entrepreneurial spirit of women traders and small-scale business owners who work daily to provide for their families and uplift their communities. When you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and a nation,” she said.
Tinubu also commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation for donating N1 billion to the RHI and thanked the Bauchi State Governor for his support. She added that beneficiaries would be monitored to ensure effective utilisation of the funds.
Aisha Mohammed noted that the state government has also introduced an empowerment scheme for pastoral households to improve their social and economic well-being. The initiative will benefit 25 women’s groups in Bauchi metropolis as well as rural communities across the state’s 20 local government areas.
“In this initiative, 21 groups will receive N300,000 each, totalling N6.3 million. Additionally, each of the 25 groups will receive five bags of rice, amounting to 125 bags in total,” she said.
Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zainab Baban Takko, advised the beneficiaries to invest the funds wisely in growing their businesses. Representing the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mrs. Zainab Ibrahim reiterated the foundation’s commitment to enhancing livelihoods across Africa.
One of the beneficiaries, Maryam Sani, expressed gratitude for the support, saying it would help strengthen their businesses and improve their families’ well-being.