First Lady Oluremi Tinubu launches nationwide empowerment for petty traders

By Kunle Sanni

Nigeria’s First Lady and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has officially launched the Economic Empowerment Programme aimed at supporting women petty traders across the country. The programme kicked off with the disbursement of ₦50,000 grants to 37,000 women, beginning with an event in Asaba, the Delta State capital, where 1,000 traders benefited.

The grant is part of RHI’s broader economic empowerment efforts designed to help petty traders overcome business challenges, create jobs, and enhance the contributions of the informal sector to Nigeria’s economy. During the launch, Senator Tinubu highlighted the importance of supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly women-led businesses, which she described as the backbone of local economies.

“As we are all aware of the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially the petty traders, who form the backbone of our local economies, these challenges, however, have not deterred the strength of our women. I salute you all and celebrate your courage and resilience that keep you going, to put food on the table for your families,” said Tinubu. “Today, through the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme, we are providing 1,000 pre-selected women petty traders per state with a grant of ₦50,000 each to recapitalize and grow their businesses. A total of ₦1.85 billion will be disbursed to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation.”

The First Lady emphasized that economic empowerment of women is both a moral and strategic imperative, underscoring that when women thrive, their families and communities prosper.

“We recognize that empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. When women thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and nation prosper,” she added.

Delta State Governor Sherriff Oborevwori, represented by his wife Tobore Oborevwori, praised the First Lady for choosing Delta State as the launch site for the grant disbursement. He also announced an additional ₦50,000 grant from his administration to further empower the beneficiaries, commending Senator Tinubu’s contributions through RHI, particularly in the areas of agriculture, education, economic empowerment, and social investment.

The RHI Economic Empowerment Programme for 1,000 women petty traders per state was conducted simultaneously nationwide, providing each beneficiary with a ₦50,000 grant to boost their business ventures.