Jos, Nigeria – October 13, 2025
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 500 women from Plateau State with a financial grant of ₦50,000 each, as part of her ongoing Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) designed to promote women’s economic inclusion and strengthen small-scale enterprises across the country.
The ₦25 million intervention, disbursed in Jos on Monday, forms part of a nationwide empowerment scheme aimed at improving livelihoods and supporting women’s participation in local commerce. The programme was carried out in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), which recently contributed ₦1 billion to the RHI to extend similar financial support to women in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Economic Empowerment Through Renewed Hope Initiative
Speaking at the event, Mrs Tinubu — represented by Mrs Helen Mutfwang, wife of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang — said the gesture was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction through the empowerment of women and vulnerable groups.
According to her, the initiative was carefully designed to help beneficiaries either start or expand their micro and small-scale enterprises, especially in the aftermath of economic challenges that have affected low-income households nationwide.
“I thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which donated ₦1,000,000,000 to the Renewed Hope Initiative to directly support 18,500 women across the nation,” Mrs Tinubu said.
“Five hundred women from each of the 36 states and the FCT will receive ₦50,000 each to strengthen and recapitalise their existing small businesses.”
Mrs Tinubu emphasized that the empowerment programme is not a one-off donation but part of a broader plan to enhance financial independence among women and encourage entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
Plateau Women Laud the Initiative
The event in Jos drew hundreds of women entrepreneurs, local traders, and artisans from different parts of Plateau State, many of whom expressed deep appreciation for the First Lady’s gesture.
Beneficiaries included widows, farmers, market women, fashion designers, and food vendors, who described the grant as a timely intervention to sustain their businesses amid rising costs of goods and services.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Charity Danjuma, a food seller from Barkin Ladi, said the ₦50,000 would help her purchase more supplies and expand her cooking business.
“This money may look small to some people, but to us, it means a lot. I can now restock my shop and serve more customers. I am very grateful to the First Lady for remembering us,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Patience Luka, a tailor from Jos North, said she plans to invest the funds in buying additional sewing materials and fabrics to meet increasing customer demand.
“This support shows that the government values our efforts as small business owners. I hope more women will be empowered in the future,” she added.
Helen Mutfwang Commends Federal Government’s Support
In her remarks, Mrs Helen Mutfwang commended Mrs Tinubu’s commitment to uplifting women across Nigeria, describing the programme as a significant step toward reducing poverty and promoting self-reliance among rural women.
“This initiative is a reflection of the First Lady’s compassion and genuine desire to see women thrive. Empowering women means empowering families, communities, and the entire nation,” Mrs Mutfwang said.
She urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the funds by investing wisely in sustainable ventures that would improve their income and living standards.
“This grant is not just a gift; it is an opportunity. Let it be a seed that grows into something greater for you and your families,” she added.
Nationwide Impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative
The Renewed Hope Initiative, launched shortly after Mrs Tinubu assumed office as First Lady, has become a flagship programme aimed at addressing issues affecting women, youth, and vulnerable populations through targeted empowerment schemes.
So far, the initiative has implemented several interventions, including educational scholarships, agricultural support, and social welfare programmes designed to strengthen community resilience and reduce dependency on government handouts.
The ₦1 billion partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation represents one of the largest private-sector collaborations under the RHI. According to programme details, the foundation’s contribution will enable the disbursement of ₦50,000 each to 18,500 women across Nigeria, equating to a total empowerment fund of ₦925 million, with an additional ₦75 million set aside for administrative and training costs.
The initiative targets micro-entrepreneurs such as petty traders, artisans, and small-scale farmers who form the backbone of Nigeria’s informal economy. By equipping them with financial resources, the RHI seeks to promote job creation, stimulate local productivity, and reduce poverty, particularly in underserved communities.
Sustainability Through Partnership and Monitoring
Beyond cash grants, the Renewed Hope Initiative plans to introduce a Business Mentorship and Monitoring Framework in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation and local women development centers.
According to Mrs Tinubu, the monitoring mechanism will ensure that the beneficiaries are guided on how to effectively manage their funds, scale their businesses, and reinvest profits for growth.
The partnership will also provide training sessions on financial literacy, record keeping, and business planning, ensuring that women not only receive funds but also acquire the skills to manage and expand their ventures sustainably.
Boosting Women’s Role in Nigeria’s Economy
Women constitute a significant portion of Nigeria’s micro and small enterprise sector, which accounts for over 60% of the nation’s employment, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). However, access to credit and capital remains a major challenge for many of them.
By providing direct grants to women entrepreneurs, the First Lady’s initiative aims to close that gap and strengthen women’s role in driving local economic development.
Economic analysts have commended the approach, describing it as a “bottom-up model” that complements federal and state government efforts to promote financial inclusion.
Dr. Grace Ijeoma, an economist at the University of Jos, noted that such targeted interventions have a multiplier effect on the economy.
“When women are empowered financially, they reinvest in their families and communities. Programmes like this create ripple effects that improve education, nutrition, and community stability,” she said.
A Symbol of Hope and Progress
The Plateau empowerment event marks another milestone in Mrs Tinubu’s broader vision to touch lives and inspire change across the federation. Earlier phases of the RHI have been successfully implemented in states such as Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, and Kaduna, with thousands of beneficiaries already putting their grants to productive use.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with inflation and unemployment, the Renewed Hope Initiative stands out as a practical model for social impact — blending philanthropy, partnership, and policy support to empower the grassroots.
With continued collaboration between the government, private foundations, and development partners, the initiative is poised to expand its reach and build a new generation of women entrepreneurs who can drive Nigeria’s post-reform economic recovery.
Conclusion
The empowerment of 500 Plateau women with ₦25 million underscores the First Lady’s enduring commitment to economic inclusivity and women’s empowerment. Through the Renewed Hope Initiative, Oluremi Tinubu continues to demonstrate that sustainable change begins with empowering individuals to take control of their economic futures.
As the beneficiaries embark on their business journeys, their stories will serve as a testament to the transformative power of opportunity — and a reminder that even modest investments can ignite lasting impact when placed in capable hands.
