Tinubu, Elumelu Foundation Partner to Boost Women Entrepreneurs with Grants in Enugu

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed her commitment to women’s economic empowerment through a partnership between her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which is providing small business grants to women across the country.

In Enugu on Thursday, 500 women received N50,000 each under the RHI/Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment Programme, tagged “Provision of Small Business Recapitalisation Grant to 500 Women Across 36 States and FCT.”

The beneficiaries, drawn from all 17 local government areas of Enugu State, were selected through the office of the state’s First Lady, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah.

Represented by Mrs. Mbah, Tinubu explained that the initiative was not a loan scheme but a grant designed to reinforce women’s role in family and community development.

“I am delighted to be here to flag off the Women Economic Empowerment Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in conjunction with the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Enugu State,” she said.

“Let me emphasise that this is not a loan. It is a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise your existing businesses. It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation.”

She praised the Tony Elumelu Foundation for donating N1 billion to RHI, a contribution expected to reach 18,500 women nationwide.

Under the arrangement, 500 women in each state and the FCT will receive N50,000 to support their businesses.

Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support. Theresa Agor from Uzouwani Local Government Area said the funds would strengthen her business.

“My heart is filled with joy with this support, and may God bless the President’s wife and the Elumelu Foundation for this kind gesture,” she said.

The Enugu programme follows similar interventions in Nasarawa State earlier this month, where 500 women also benefitted from the grant scheme.