A philanthropist and humanitarian advocate, Cleo Nelson-Adoga, has launched a grassroots empowerment programme targeted at market women in Nyanya Market, Abuja, with selected beneficiaries receiving soft grants of ₦400,000 each to support and expand their businesses.
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The intervention, organised through the Rise and Thrive Humanitarian Foundation, drew traders, community stakeholders, market leaders and residents who described the initiative as a major relief for women struggling with the current economic realities affecting small businesses across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The programme was held as part of activities marking Nelson-Adoga’s birthday anniversary on May 9, 2026, but organisers said the celebration was intentionally converted into a humanitarian outreach focused on economic empowerment and direct community impact.
Speaking during the event, Nelson-Adoga said women traders remain one of the strongest pillars of local commerce and family survival, especially in low-income communities where daily market activities sustain thousands of households.
According to her, the intervention goes beyond charity and is aimed at helping women build stronger businesses capable of providing long-term financial stability.
“We understand the challenges market women face daily. This support is to help them restock, expand their businesses and reduce the pressure many families are currently experiencing,” she said.
Under the initiative, beneficiaries including vegetable sellers, foodstuff dealers and local food vendors received ₦400,000 grants each as business support capital meant to improve trading capacity and boost income generation.
In addition to the major grants, more than 25 women also received ₦50,000 cash support each, creating a broader reach across smaller-scale traders and vulnerable women within the Nyanya market community.
The dual-level support system received praise from market leaders and community representatives who described the initiative as practical and inclusive, especially at a time when many traders are struggling with rising costs of goods and reduced purchasing power.
Several beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the foundation, saying the grants would help them stabilise their businesses, purchase fresh stock and meet family responsibilities.
Community stakeholders also called on more private individuals, organisations and development partners to invest in similar grassroots programmes that directly impact women in the informal sector.
Nelson-Adoga further disclosed plans to expand the empowerment programme to other markets across the FCT as part of efforts to strengthen financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods for women traders.
