The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has disbursed N50 million to 250 persons with disabilities to support their small businesses.
Tinubu said this during the RHI Economic Empowerment Programme marking the 2025 World Disability Day on Wednesday in Abuja.
The 2025 celebration was themed, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Social ies for Advancing Social Proogress”.
She said the programme provides financial support to PWDs across the 36 states, FCT and disabled military and police veterans.
Tinubu, represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, said the gesture reflects RHI’s commitment to economic inclusion.
She said the empowerment was designed to strengthen livelihoods and promote self-reliance among disability communities.
According to her, beneficiaries received N200,000 each to expand existing businesses and build financial stability.
Tinubu said the intervention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s drive for shared prosperity and protection of vulnerable groups.
She urged beneficiaries to invest wisely, describing the grant as a foundation for long-term economic growth.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said the event reaffirmed the nation’s duty to ensure equal opportunities for all residents.
Mahmoud, represented by Hajiya Maijidda Adamu-Kuku, Special Assistant on Social Investment Programme said the FCTA remains committed to integrating PWDs into governance, education, healthcare and economic development.
Earlier, the RHI FCT Coordinator, Dr Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, said the event recognised 500 PWDs across the FCT’s communities and area councils.
Benjamin-Laniyi, who is also the Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat,She said the celebration highlights the resilience of persons with disabilities and the expanding impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
She added that, the FCT is implementing programmes that address stigma and strengthen protection under the Violence Against Persons with Disabilities framework.
Also speaking, Dr Joanne Anagwu, an education specialist, said inclusion must be seen as justice and not charity.
She said disability justice requires equal access to healthcare, education, housing, employment and full community participation for all PWDs.
Anagwu urged Nigeria to strengthen inclusive policies and dismantle barriers that limit participation, representation and social progress.
