Abuja, Aug. 22, 2024 – Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady, on Thursday launched a N1.85 billion recapitalisation grant for 37,000 women petty traders across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Under the initiative, 1,000 women traders in each state and the FCT will receive N50,000 from the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Economic Empowerment Programme.
While launching the programme in Abuja, the first lady said the initiative was being held simultaneously across the 36 states.
She said the initiative was being lauched in realisation of the challenges faced by women traders across the country.
Tinubu, who was represented by the FCT Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs, Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said the grants were being given to the women to help overcome their challenges.
“Today, through the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme, we are providing to1,000 pre-selected women petty traders per state with a grant of N50,000 each to recapitalise and contribute to the growth of the economy.
“A total of N1.85 billion will be disbursed to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation.
“The grants provided today are to assist our women and petty traders in overcoming some of their business challenges, expanding their businesses, and creating more jobs, and contributing more robustly to our economy.”
Dr. Mariya Mahmood, the FCT Minister of State, described the initiative as a significant effort by the first lady to provide support for women traders to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods and wellbeing.
The minister, who was represented by Maijidda Musa, her Special Adviser, said investments in human capital is invaluable. (GBN)