The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched a N1.9 billion empowerment initiative for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Nigeria, coinciding with the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Executed under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme, the project aims to foster inclusive growth, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The initiative, themed “Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” is being implemented simultaneously across all 36 states, the FCT, and through the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
The initiative involves the provision of a N200,000 business recapitalisation grant per person. This nationwide effort will reach a total of 9,500 PWDs (250 per state/FCT) at a total cost of N1.9 billion, with each state and DEPOWA receiving N50 million for distribution.
The First Lady, represented by Hajiya Fatima Bago (Wife of the Niger State Governor) in Minna, noted that the RHI has previously supported over 100,000 small business owners and PWDs with direct grants in the past two years.
Hajiya Bago praised the initiative as a noble program demonstrating commitment to dignity and equal opportunity. She also acknowledged that the Niger State rollout was observed on a low key in solidarity with the families of abducted school children in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
Beneficiaries, speaking through Abdulrahman Auwal, thanked the First Lady and the Governor’s Wife for the financial support and pledged to use the funds judiciously to improve their businesses and livelihoods.
