Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the President and First Lady of Nigeria, today distributed N50 million in grants to 1,000 women small business owners in Ogun State as part of the Women Economic Empowerment Programme under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). The initiative receives support from the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
The ceremony took place at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta. Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, wife of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented the First Lady at the event. Each beneficiary received N50,000 as a non repayable grant to recapitalize and strengthen their existing small businesses.
"Let me emphasise that this is not a loan. It is a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise your existing businesses," said Senator Oluremi Tinubu in her address, delivered by Mrs. Abiodun. "It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation."
The First Lady thanked the Tony Elumelu Foundation for donating N1 billion to the RHI, which enables support for 18,500 women nationwide 500 from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Ogun State expanded its allocation to 1,000 beneficiaries with approval from Governor Abiodun, demonstrating strong commitment to women's empowerment.
Senator Tinubu urged recipients to use the funds judiciously to grow their businesses, support their families, and contribute to national development. She highlighted women's vital roles in Nigeria's social and economic progress and the need to address barriers to financial access.
This distribution aligns with the RHI's mission to foster economic independence among women through targeted.