The First Lady, in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, has disbursed N50,000 business grants to 500 women entrepreneurs in Katsina State, a move aimed at strengthening small-scale businesses and promoting grassroots economic development.
The disbursement, held on Monday in Katsina, is part of a broader initiative to boost financial inclusion and empower women-led enterprises across Nigeria. Speaking during the event, the wife of the state governor, Zulaihat Radda, said the programme is being implemented nationwide to support hardworking women and families in building sustainable livelihoods and securing a better future.
She stressed the critical role small businesses play in Nigeria’s economy, describing them as the backbone of communities. “They sustain households, educate children, provide essential services, and create jobs. Yet, too often, they struggle to access the capital needed to grow, compete, and withstand economic shocks. Sadly, women-owned enterprises are the most affected,” she said.
Radda explained that the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a flagship project of the First Lady, was created to address these challenges by providing mentorship, training, and access to resources that help women transition from roadside trading into viable and sustainable businesses.
“With this recapitalisation grant, we are building on that progress by giving many more women the opportunity to strengthen their enterprises and expand their dreams,” she added.
She noted that the success stories of the beneficiaries will serve as evidence that empowerment works and inspire others to believe in their potential. One of the recipients, a small business owner from Batsari Local Government Area, expressed gratitude for the support, saying it will help her grow her business and improve her family’s standard of living.
The initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to support micro and small enterprises as drivers of economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction, particularly in rural communities.
