Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has defended the Federal Government’s empowerment programmes, saying grants provided to small business owners are designed to give Nigerians hope amid the country’s economic challenges.
Speaking during a recent engagement, the First Lady said the administration had chosen to provide grants rather than loans to support petty traders and vulnerable citizens.
‘We Are Giving Hope’
Sen. Tinubu said starting small businesses such as frying akara or roasting corn requires limited capital and can provide a pathway to financial independence.
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“We’re trying to give hope. To start akara business doesn’t take much; to start roasting corn doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant,” she said.
She added that the government had continued to support Nigerians through initiatives within its capacity.
“What is within our hands, I have given, and I keep giving,” she said.
Renewed Hope Empowerment Programme
The First Lady’s remarks come under the Renewed Hope Initiative, which has distributed grants to women and small business owners in several states.
Recent interventions include financial support for women in Benue, Ekiti and Kaduna states, where beneficiaries received grants to strengthen their small businesses without repayment obligations.
The programme focuses on women, petty traders and other vulnerable groups engaged in micro-enterprises.
Mixed Public Reactions
The comments have generated mixed reactions on social media.
Supporters described the grants as meaningful support for grassroots entrepreneurs struggling with the high cost of living.
Critics, however, argued that the assistance is insufficient given rising inflation, high fuel prices and the broader economic pressures facing many households and businesses.
Some questioned whether small-scale grants alone can adequately address Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
Government Defends Reform Agenda
The Tinubu administration has consistently maintained that its economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments, are necessary for long-term economic stability despite the short-term hardship experienced by many Nigerians.
Sen. Tinubu has repeatedly urged citizens to remain patient while the government continues implementing programmes aimed at reducing poverty and promoting economic inclusion.
