Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Empowers 2000 Women in Benue with N100m Grant, Commission ICT Centre

Summary: First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched a N100 million economic empowerment programme for 2,000 women traders in Benue State. She also commissioned an ICT centre to provide access to digital literacy to women and youths.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched a N100 million economic empowerment programme for 2,000 women traders in Benue State. This was made known during the inauguration of the community’s ICT centre in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area of  Benue state, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. 

The grant is an empowerment initiative of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation. The grants were distributed to small-scale women-owned businesses with the purpose of boosting and recapitalising their businesses. A total of 1,000 beneficiaries received N50,000 each in Vandeikya Local Government Area, and an additional 1,000 received  N50,000 each in Makurdi and its environs.

“On our part, we will present a N50 million grant to 1,000 women in Vandeikya, and an additional N50 million to support 1,000 in Makurdi and environs to recapitalise their existing businesses, which is a total of N100 million to empower 2,000 women engaged in petty trading,” Senator Oluremi said.

Additionally, the First Lady inaugurated the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Community IT Centre in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State. She shared that the facility is a strategic investment designed to provide access to digital literacy, innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities, especially for women and young people. 

“By equipping women with ICT skills, we can enhance their educational prospects, participation in the global economy and overall socio-economic well-being,” she stated.

According to her, the ICT Centre in Ihugh is the fourth digital facility established through the collaboration, following similar projects in Abia, Kwara, Delta, Oyo, FCT, and others. She urged residents of the community to utilise the facility effectively and ensure its sustainability for the benefit of future generations.

“The knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool for empowering communities, especially women, enabling them to access new opportunities,” she added.