More than 1,400 small-scale business owners in Plateau State have received grants totalling over N280 million in an empowerment programme organised by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, in Jos.
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The initiative, held on Wednesday, aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is positioned as part of broader efforts to stimulate economic growth through grassroots enterprise support. The event drew participation from key stakeholders, including Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, and the Director General of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Ezekiel Gomos.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yilwatda framed the intervention as a people-driven effort tied directly to economic transformation goals at the federal level. “What I want to say today is simple: change is possible. And change is driven by people. Prayers are answered when we act. No matter how small your contribution is, you can change someone’s life — and that is what we are doing here today,” he said.
He linked the programme to Tinubu’s long-term economic vision, noting that achieving a $1 trillion Nigerian economy requires deliberate investment in both infrastructure and human capital. According to him, current federal investments across transport and energy corridors are designed to unlock productivity nationwide.
“Mr President has set a bold vision — to build a $1tn Nigerian economy. To achieve this, we must develop the infrastructure that supports such an economy,” Yilwatda said, citing projects such as the Sokoto–Badagry superhighway, rail network expansions, and ongoing upgrades in aviation infrastructure.
He highlighted a specific development for Plateau State, announcing federal approval for the upgrade of the Jos Airport into an international cargo facility. “For us in Plateau State, there is great news. The Federal Government has approved the upgrade of the Jos Airport to an international cargo airport. This means farmers and producers in Plateau can now export their goods directly,” he stated.
Beyond infrastructure, the APC chairman emphasised a shift away from traditional employment pathways, urging beneficiaries to embrace entrepreneurship as a primary driver of economic mobility. “The era where many of us aspired only to become civil servants is gone. There are greater opportunities in entrepreneurship… I want to see all of you grow your businesses — to employ others, to become successful, and to build wealth,” he said.
He also introduced a performance-based monitoring framework for beneficiaries, signalling that the grants are part of a structured growth pipeline rather than a one-off disbursement. “We will evaluate your businesses after six months and again after one year. We want to see growth, discipline, and proper management. Keep records. Maintain accounts. Track your income, expenses, and profits,” Yilwatda said.
According to him, high-performing beneficiaries will gain access to expanded support, including increased grants, equipment financing, and additional funding opportunities through partnerships with institutions such as the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Bank of Industry (BOI), and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
Representing the Plateau State Government, Piyo described the intervention as a strategic and timely support mechanism under the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme. “On behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, the government, and the good people of Plateau State, I wish to commend and congratulate you for this laudable initiative… You have done well for Plateau State, and we say thank you,” she said.
She further praised Yilwatda for prioritising local impact, noting the symbolic significance of returning to invest in one’s home state. “You did not forget your roots. Instead, you have returned home to begin your service to your people. As the saying goes, charity begins at home, and you have demonstrated that principle clearly,” she added.
Piyo also issued a caution to beneficiaries on the use of the funds, stressing that the grants are intended strictly for business development. “This is not an opportunity for extravagance or misuse. It is not for personal indulgence, but for investment and growth. If you apply these resources properly, the sky will indeed be your limit,” she said.
Providing insight into the selection process, Gomos explained that Jos Business School oversaw the entire application and evaluation system, which was conducted exclusively online to ensure transparency and accessibility. “It’s also important to emphasise that the application was strictly online. The process was online. All those who applied did so online,” he said.
He revealed that the programme attracted approximately 48,000 applications from across Nigeria, including states such as Lagos, Cross River, Borno, and Sokoto. Following a detailed review process, 870 applicants were initially selected based on strict criteria before an additional 500 beneficiaries were approved, bringing the total to over 1,400.
“We had to read every single business plan that was uploaded, painstakingly and meticulously. We examined all 48,000 applications using the following criteria. One, is it viable? Two, is it realistic? Is there potential for growth?” Gomos stated.
He clarified that the grants were targeted at existing businesses rather than startups, describing the funding as seed capital aimed at scaling proven ventures. “It’s not meant for new businesses. It’s meant for business already in existence… It’s a demonstration of confidence in your business, a demonstration of confidence in your discipline, and a demonstration of confidence in your creativity,” he said.
Gomos also disclosed that a structured mentorship programme has been developed to support beneficiaries post-disbursement, alongside recommendations for continuous monitoring and evaluation. In a pointed remark on accountability, he said, “We believe that party people are serious enough not to take the 1 million naira and marry a new wife… We expect to see any investment given to you to be deferred to your business.”
The grant distribution reflects a tiered funding model, with 60 beneficiaries receiving N1 million each, 300 receiving N200,000, and 900 receiving N100,000. In addition to cash support, several beneficiaries were provided with equipment tailored to their trades, including tricycles, catering tools, sewing machines, welding equipment, auto mechanic tool kits, POS machines accompanied by N100,000 cash support, makeup kits, and GSM repair equipment.
Gomos encouraged applicants who were not selected to refine their business plans and remain engaged with future opportunities. “Who knows, even the chairman will be encouraged to introduce phase two and phase three and phase four,” he said, hinting at potential expansion of the programme.
Nigeria Startup News reports that the intervention underscores a growing emphasis on structured, data-driven empowerment initiatives within Nigeria’s political and economic landscape, with a clear focus on measurable outcomes, accountability, and long-term enterprise growth.
