The Sokoto State Government has announced plans to disburse over N4 billion in business grants to 216,000 women entrepreneurs across the state under the Nigeria For Women Programme (NFWP).
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Ahmad Shagari, disclosed this while explaining the state’s plans to support women-owned businesses and reduce poverty through targeted empowerment programmes.
According to her, the intervention will cover women in nine of the 23 local government areas in the state, with the first phase focusing on beneficiaries from Gwadabawa, Dange/Shuni and Sokoto South LGAs.
Shagari said the programme is being funded by the Federal Government, Sokoto State Government and the World Bank under the women-focused initiative introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She explained that at least 1,200 women groups have already been selected from each participating LGA, with every group made up of not less than 20 women entrepreneurs expected to receive grants to improve and expand their businesses.
“The women will receive business grants to upgrade and modernise their trades. This noble gesture is aimed at further reducing poverty and unemployment in the state as well as boosting the economy of the state and Nigeria in general,” she said.
The commissioner also revealed that the ministry would train 500 women in different vocational skills across the state.
According to her, beneficiaries will receive a monthly stipend of N25,000 during the training period alongside working tools after completion.
The training areas include poultry, horticulture, animal husbandry, knitting and sewing, bakery and confectioneries.
Shagari commended Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto and his wife, Dr Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, for supporting women-focused programmes in the state.
