The Edo State government has approved a N1 billion soft loan for market women to grow their businesses.
Officials say the initiative will boost women’s participation in trade and economic development.
The Edo State government has approved a N1 billion soft loan package for market women across the state to help them expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods. This was announced by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, during a press briefing held in Benin City on Saturday.
Abdallah said the initiative is part of the government’s SHINE Agenda, which aims to promote economic inclusion, strengthen women-owned businesses, and enhance their participation in local commerce. She explained that the soft loan scheme was designed to reach women at the grassroots level who play vital roles in food distribution and trade across the state.
According to the commissioner, about 54,000 women have been identified to benefit from the state’s economic empowerment programmes. These include entrepreneurial training, microfinance access, and skills development to enhance their capacity for sustainable growth.
“The state government has approved N1 billion in soft loans for market women to boost their businesses,” Abdallah said. She praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for his dedication to gender equality and inclusive governance, noting that women currently occupy 35 percent of cabinet positions in the state. She added that the administration has demonstrated that “empowering women is not just a promise but a practical commitment.”
Abdallah further highlighted the ministry’s social welfare initiatives, which target vulnerable groups such as trafficked women, rape survivors, and victims of domestic violence. She explained that the ministry has provided shelter, rehabilitation, and care services for these individuals, ensuring that affected children are also protected.
“We have given hope and dignity to those who thought all was lost,” she said, reiterating the ministry’s zero tolerance for gender-based violence in Edo State.
Speaking on skills development, Abdallah revealed that the government has revived the Uromi and Igarra Skills Acquisition Centres, producing over 140 graduates in 2025. She also disclosed that the Evbuomodu Centre is currently undergoing renovation in partnership with the Edo State Skills Development Agency to expand opportunities for women and youths.
The commissioner expressed gratitude to Governor Okpebholo and the Coordinator of the Office of the Edo First Lady, Edesili Anani, for their continuous support toward achieving the ministry’s goals.
Abdallah concluded that the N1 billion loan scheme and other empowerment projects reflect the government’s commitment to building an inclusive economy. “We are creating a future where every woman and child in Edo State can live with dignity and contribute meaningfully to our collective progress,” she stated.
