General News
Remi Tinubu Defends Support for Petty Traders, Says Criticism Won’t Halt Women’s Empowerment
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her administration’s support for women petty traders, saying criticism of the initiative will not discourage efforts to empower women and strengthen small businesses across the country.
Speaking during her visit to Jigawa State, the First Lady clarified that the programme is not limited to akara sellers, as suggested by some critics, but is targeted at various categories of women engaged in small-scale trading.
“I heard people talking about akara sellers. It is not only akara sellers. We are supporting tomato sellers, maize sellers, vegetable sellers and many other petty traders,” she said.
Senator Tinubu spoke while unveiling a ₦200 million empowerment package for 2,000 women petty traders in the state. Under the scheme, each beneficiary will receive a ₦50,000 grant to recapitalise and grow her business.
She said the intervention forms part of ongoing efforts to improve the livelihoods of women at the grassroots, expand economic opportunities and support micro-enterprises.
The First Lady stressed that the programme is intended to reach women involved in different forms of petty trading and reaffirmed her commitment to sustaining initiatives that promote financial independence and economic inclusion for women nationwide.
