First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has flagged off a nationwide Economic Empowerment Programme targeting 18,500 women across Nigeria. The initiative, which aims to support 500 women in each state and the Federal Capital Territory, was officially launched in Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday.
The programme is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative and is being implemented in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation. According to Mrs Tinubu, each beneficiary will receive a N50,000 non-repayable grant to boost their small businesses and trading ventures.
“This is not a loan, but a seed grant under the Renewed Hope Initiative,” she stated. “When you empower a woman, you empower a household. This programme is designed to impact not just individuals but entire families and communities.”
The First Lady expressed appreciation to the Tony Elumelu Foundation for donating N1 billion to support the initiative, which will reach 18,000 women directly. She emphasized that the Renewed Hope Initiative will continue to focus on empowering women economically to help them play a more active role in national development.
She also acknowledged the support of Niger State Governor Umaru Bago and his wife, Hajiya Fatima Bago, for their contribution to the success of the programme.
In her remarks, Hajiya Fatima Bago lauded Mrs Tinubu’s dedication to the welfare of Nigerian women, describing the empowerment scheme as a bold and practical step to strengthen women’s economic capacity through business recapitalisation.
“We’ve seen how small grants in the hands of women can lead to significant change — school fees paid, families supported, homes sustained, and communities uplifted,” she said, adding that Niger State is proud to have 500 women benefit from the programme.
She praised the collaboration between the Renewed Hope Initiative and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, calling it a model partnership between the private sector and government for sustainable development.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs Mary Noel-Berje, Special Adviser to Governor Bago on Women and Affirmative Action, described the First Lady’s efforts as a testament to her compassion and dedication to the most vulnerable.
“At a time when many are burdened by economic hardship, the First Lady has become a symbol of hope and relief for women across the country,” she said.
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