First Lady Oluremi Tinubu disbursed ₦250 million to empower 500 women in Bauchi State.
The Renewed Hope Initiative grants ₦50,000 each to support small businesses and livelihoods.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has released ₦250 million to support 500 women in Bauchi State under the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Program (RHI), a project designed to improve women’s social and economic conditions.
The initiative, carried out in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, was launched on Saturday. Each participant is receiving ₦50,000 to either start or expand a small business. Tinubu, represented at the event by Aisha Mohammed, wife of the Bauchi State Governor, explained that the program aims to reach 18,500 women across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT.
“This is not a loan but a seed grant to strengthen businesses and uplift families. When you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and a nation,” she said.
She commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation for donating ₦1 billion to the RHI and also appreciated the Bauchi State Government’s support. Beneficiaries, she added, will be closely monitored to ensure proper use of the funds.
The Bauchi State Government, through Aisha Mohammed, announced a separate empowerment package for 25 women’s groups, with 21 groups receiving ₦300,000 each and all 25 groups getting five bags of rice each. In total, ₦6.3 million and 125 bags of rice will be distributed.
Commissioner for Women Affairs Zainab Baban Takko urged participants to invest wisely, while a representative of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Zainab Ibrahim, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to empowering African women.
One of the beneficiaries, Maryam Sani, expressed gratitude, noting that the grant would strengthen their businesses and improve family livelihoods.
