A group of Northern Nigerian Women under the aegis of Tinubu Northern Women Support Group (TNWSG) has inaugurated an empowerment programme targeting 100,000 petty traders, to drive economic inclusion and grassroots development.
The National Coordinator of the Tinubu Northern Support Group, Mrs. Aisha Aliyu Obalim said; “Our quest is to join forces with the government of Nigeria to translate the “Renewed Hope Agenda” into tangible grassroots impact, among the women living and engaged in petty trade in the three geopolitical zones of the North.”
The group said it is supporting the re-election campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enable him advance the various reforms targeted at growing the nation, stressing that “women should be empowered across the 19 Northern states and the FCTA as they make their choices in the 2027 general elections.”
Mrs Obalim said; “Empowering the women in the Northern region is a move of investment on the economic backbone of the region. The selected 100,000 beneficiaries will receive financial grants to boost their petty trade significantly. This funding is specifically structured to serve as a boost to their working capital, designed to be ploughed directly into their existing petty trade enterprise—to grow inventory, expand market reach, and boost overall livelihood.
“TNWSG is not going to give mere handouts for consumption; It is going to provide capital for trade, it is intended to be a substantial boost to women – the petty traders and in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
” This initiative is about sustainability and growth. It will be a grant serving as a tool to unlock the potential of these hardworking women, enabling them to scale their petty trading into significant commercial ventures in every part of the three geopolitical zones of the North East, Northwest and North Central states in the region“. She said.
Mrs Obalim also said that the TNWSG has the understanding that collective growth fosters greater success.
She said the programme would run on a structured cluster model. Beneficiaries will be organised into groups of 50 women, each, overseen by a designated leader to be seen as the Cluster Lead. This leadership structure is designed to ensure close supervision, and monitor the commercial success of the petty trade.
Mrs Obalim said; “This framework aims to guarantee accountability and tracking the tangible impact of the funds on the traders’ livelihoods.
” Make no mistake. It is not a loan but a grant. A practical enabler for us to grow together. Hence the need for a supervisor who will help us all grow. It is important to supervise the women so that they know that this financial support is aimed at helping them to boost their business and earnings.”
“This initiative transcends partisan lines. As far as the TNWSG is concerned and in recognition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to national development, the programme is inclusive by design. Although restricted to women from our region comprising the North Central, North East and Northwest of the region. It is with pride that we come out as women of means within the region to chart a path of economic independence for our fellow women and make our voices count when needed for a political direction.
“This gesture is for all Northern women. Our selection criteria will focus on the gap identified and the viability of enterprise, support to 100,000 thousand petty traders can be huge and we believe it will be a leap of our regional economy” she said.
The Tinubu Northern Women Support Group will monitor the progress of this initiative and ensure that this strategic empowerment yields lasting economic transformation for families and communities across our great region of Northern Nigeria.