DUTSE, NIGERIA — First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has said the Federal Government’s women empowerment programme is designed to support a wide range of petty traders, not only akara and kulikuli sellers, as she highlighted the administration’s efforts to improve the livelihoods of women across Nigeria.
Speaking during an empowerment programme in Jigawa State, the First Lady explained that beneficiaries include women who sell tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, bole and other everyday goods. She said the initiative aims to provide financial support to women operating small businesses and help them expand their means of livelihood.
According to Remi Tinubu, about 2,000 women in Jigawa State have each received ₦50,000 under the programme. She urged beneficiaries to make good use of the funds by investing them in their businesses to improve their income and support their families.
The First Lady also encouraged Nigerians to remain optimistic about the country’s future, expressing confidence that ongoing government programmes would contribute to economic growth and create better opportunities for citizens. She said empowering women remains a key part of efforts to strengthen households and local economies.
Small-scale trading provides a source of income for millions of Nigerians, particularly women who operate in markets and communities across the country. Economic experts have often noted that targeted financial support for micro-businesses can improve household earnings, promote financial inclusion and encourage entrepreneurship, especially when accompanied by business training and access to markets.
Data reviewed by Extra News Nigeria show that women-focused empowerment initiatives have become a regular feature of government social intervention programmes aimed at reducing poverty and supporting vulnerable groups. Stakeholders, however, continue to stress the importance of transparency, sustained funding and effective monitoring to ensure that such interventions achieve lasting economic benefits.
The latest intervention in Jigawa is expected to provide immediate relief for many beneficiaries while reinforcing the government’s message of supporting grassroots businesses. Attention will now turn to whether similar programmes will be expanded to other states and how the beneficiaries use the funds to grow their enterprises.
