Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has introduced a large-scale empowerment programme designed to support 18,500 women across the country, starting with the North Central region.
The initiative, spearheaded under her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), is set to equip women with essential tools for launching and expanding businesses. The programme is kicking off with 500 women from each state in the North Central Zone.
During the launch event, Mrs Tinubu emphasised the crucial role of women in national development, stating that the empowerment programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes inclusivity and economic advancement.
Mrs Tinubu further stressed that empowering women is central to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-5 on gender equality and SDG-8 on decent work and economic growth. She urged beneficiaries to use the provided resources wisely to improve their lives and communities.
Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, highlighted the long-term impact of the programme.
“Today’s programme is not just about distributing empowerment items; it is about unlocking potential, fostering economic independence, and creating opportunities for women to thrive. By equipping 500 women per state and the FCT with tools such as gas cookers, generators, deep freezers, and grinding machines, we are strengthening their capacity to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to inclusive national development,” she added.
Similarly, Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim described the programme as a groundbreaking shift from donor-dependent empowerment initiatives to one driven by local resources.
Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, also praised the initiative, emphasising its transformative impact.
The North Central Zone Women’s Empowerment Programme is a significant step toward gender equality and economic inclusion in Nigeria. With the South-South region set to benefit next, the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to empowering women as catalysts for sustainable development.
