Tony Elumelu Foundation Donates ₦1 Billion to Empower 18,500 Nigerian Women Under Renewed Hope Initiative
In a major push for women’s economic inclusion, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has donated ₦1 billion to the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the flagship empowerment programme led by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The initiative will provide ₦50,000 grants to 500 women in each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) — supporting a total of 18,500 women entrepreneurs across the country. The fund aims to help small-scale business owners expand operations, sustain livelihoods, and contribute to national growth.
During the official launch of the Women Economic Empowerment Programme in Owerri, Imo State, Senator Tinubu, represented by Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, wife of the Imo State Governor, highlighted that the initiative is designed to empower market women, traders, and small business owners who sustain households and uplift communities. She described the grant as a “seed of Renewed Hope” and reaffirmed that it is not a loan, but a non-refundable grant to help women recapitalize their existing ventures.
In a show of solidarity, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State announced an additional ₦50,000 grant for each beneficiary in his state, bringing the total support per woman to ₦100,000. The governor commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its commitment to economic empowerment and pledged continued partnership to strengthen entrepreneurship in Imo State and beyond. The high point of the event was the presentation of cash grants to 500 women drawn from the state’s 27 local government areas.
Senator Tinubu lauded the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its consistent focus on grassroots development and its role in creating opportunities for women and youth. “When you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed a nation,” she said, emphasizing that the programme aligns with the federal government’s broader vision for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, in a separate event, Governor Uzodimma urged the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority to intensify its efforts in addressing challenges in water supply, agriculture, power, livestock, and food security across the Southeast. He praised the new leadership of the agency, led by Senator Emmanuel Anosike and Hon. Emeka Nduka, expressing confidence in their capacity to drive meaningful development in the region.
source: arise