First Lady Launches North-West Community Food Bank Programme, Announces N100m Grant for Jigawa Women

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the North-West zone of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Jigawa State, revealing that the initiative has already enrolled 560 beneficiaries and reached 468 vulnerable children since its rollout in Borno State in April.

Speaking at the launch, Senator Tinubu described the early results of the programme as encouraging and stressed that its long-term success would depend on sustained collaboration among government, development partners, organisations and individuals.

“We must work together to build a transparent, accountable and efficient food bank system that reaches vulnerable households across Nigeria,” she said.

She called on stakeholders across the North-West to actively support the initiative as the Federal Government continues its nationwide expansion.

The First Lady explained that Jigawa was selected for the regional launch because of its vast agricultural potential and the state’s commitment to improving the welfare of its people.

Earlier, Senator Tinubu commissioned the newly constructed palace hall of the Emir of Hadejia, His Royal Highness Dr. Adamu Maje.

During the visit, she announced a ₦100 million business recapitalisation grant for 2,000 women petty traders in Jigawa State under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme.

She said each beneficiary would receive ₦50,000 to strengthen and expand existing small businesses, noting that the intervention is part of ongoing efforts to support small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

According to the First Lady, empowering women entrepreneurs, particularly those at the grassroots, remains critical to boosting household incomes, creating jobs and reducing poverty.

She reaffirmed her commitment to promoting SMEs, describing the sector as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and local economic development.

As part of her visit, Senator Tinubu also inaugurated several projects in the state, including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Academy, a technology hub facilitated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Clinic and Dialysis Centre equipped with modern dialysis machines, as well as the Gandun Sariki Road and the Hadejia–Garun Gabas–Dolan Kwana Road.