Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has rolled out a ₦25 million empowerment scheme for 500 women in Kogi State through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
The disbursement was flagged off on Thursday at Government House, Lokoja, with Tinubu noting that the project seeks to boost economic growth and support women entrepreneurs across the country.
Represented by the wife of the Kogi State Governor, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, she highlighted that the initiative would cover 18,500 women nationwide, with 500 beneficiaries selected from each state, including the FCT.
She explained that the 500 women in Kogi would each receive ₦50,000 to strengthen their small businesses and improve their financial stability.
According to her, the programme was tailored to support hardworking traders and entrepreneurs who sustain their households while uplifting communities.
Tinubu emphasised that women’s empowerment remains essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG-5 on gender equality and SDG-8 on decent work and economic growth.
The scheme was made possible through a ₦1 billion donation from the Tony Elumelu Foundation to the Renewed Hope Initiative.
She further noted that the intervention reflects RHI’s commitment to fostering women’s economic independence and strengthening families, communities, and the nation.
Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Folashade Ayoade, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for prioritising Kogi women and commended Elumelu’s philanthropic gesture.
She encouraged beneficiaries to make good use of the grants to expand their businesses and invest in their children’s education.
Kogi Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Fatima Momoh, described the initiative as a step towards uplifting women and transforming communities through sustainable support.
Momoh assured that her ministry would continue to back projects that enhance women’s empowerment across the state.
Hajia Sefinat Ododo personally presented ₦50,000 cash to a beneficiary during the event.
Beneficiaries, including Aisha Salihu, appreciated the First Lady and the Governor’s wife, noting that the support would strengthen their businesses and improve livelihoods.