Over 100,000 Business Owners Benefitted From Renewed Hope Initiative, Says Tinubu’s Wife

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday disclosed that over 100,000 petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities, have benefitted from direct cash grants in the last two years.

Speaking while distributing financial empowerment to 250 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) across Oyo State, she said the empowerment was part of the nationwide Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme, held to commemorate this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

250 beneficiaries in the state received N200,000 business recapitalisation grants, while the state also received N50 million support fund for broader distribution within its disability community.
The programme was implemented simultaneously across the 36 states, the FCT, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).

Tinubu, who was represented in Ibadan by the wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs Tamunomini Makinde, said the programme reflected the federal government’s determination to build an economy that leaves no Nigerian behind.

She said, “Our nation grows stronger when every individual is empowered to contribute meaningfully. Today, the Renewed Hope Initiative will provide N200,000 each to 250 persons with disabilities in every state, the FCT, and DEPOWA.

“Each state will also receive N50 million to support beneficiaries within its domain.”
She announced that a total of 9,500 persons with disabilities nationwide will receive support amounting to N1.9 billion, describing it as one of the most significant empowerment interventions targeted at Nigerians with disabilities.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. A truly inclusive society is built when we stand together and create opportunities that empower everyone to contribute their unique gifts.”

She emphasised that the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive growth, social protection, and sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable Nigerians.

She also highlighted past RHI interventions, noting that over 100,000 petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities, have benefitted from direct cash grants in the last two years.

“Our Social Investment Programmes have supported victims of floods, communal clashes, disasters, the elderly, widows, and orphans of our fallen heroes.

“Through our Monthly Food Outreach Scheme, food items have been delivered to 22 states and the FCT. We remain committed to doing even more”, she added.

She also stated that the RHI Governing Board had approved the Economic Empowerment Programme for Persons with Disabilities to be held annually on December 3.

She, however, thanked Governor Seyi Makinde and Oyo State First Lady, Tamunominini Makinde, for their support for disability inclusion.