Nigeria’s First Lady has performed the groundbreaking and official unveiling of the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Empowerment and Skills Village located in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
Speaking at the ceremony, which was part of the 10 Million Mega Rally and Empowerment, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu commended the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, for what she described as a transformative initiative aimed at repositioning women at the center of national development.
She urged beneficiaries to fully utilise the opportunities provided through the programme, praying, “It will prosper in your hands, and you will make money to take care of your family. In Jesus’ name. God bless you.”
The minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the centre is a key component of the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, aligned with the directive of the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to “put money in the hands of Nigerian women” by equipping them with viable, income-generating skills.
In an interview on the sidelines of the empowerment segment, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, framed the empowerment initiative within a broader national vision.
“The vision and the mission of our First Lady, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, really are about the power of women in her family, and once a girl is educated in the family, then we are able to transform societies and communities. And that looks at empowerment and the skills of how we can give back to the Nigerian women; it is 10 million women now, it is more than that. It is so much more than that for Nigeria. It is the future of Nigeria. And this is essentially what we are focusing on.”
Also, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, described the programme as a landmark intervention.
“For Nigerian women, today is a very special day. We must salute the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs for organising such an important event. Women are going to benefit from different items, including the tricycle, the fridges, the freezers and so many other things that are here. This is to show you that this government of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put women at the centre of the governance, and then we are so happy to see it turn out, to see how women came out and everybody is happy.”
Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, underscored the policy backbone of the initiative:
“This government is not only for Nigerian women; it is deliberately investing in them as a national priority. The women are at the heart of this administration, not in words but in measurable action.”
She stated that it complements the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, which is open to all Nigerians but intentionally structured to ensure that women are not left behind; “Any person between the ages of 18 and 45 can come and learn a trade, receive a stipend, and graduate with a starter pack.”
“This is how we move people from learning to earning. This is how we reduce unemployment, strengthen families, and build a productive nation.” She said
Reinforcing the inclusivity of the programme, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, on the scale and intent of the intervention:
“We have not seen such an event, such an empowerment, in quite a while. People only get to do this when the campaign period is around the corner, but this is different. This is not the same thing. This is intentional. This is a good one, and I am so happy that every woman is carried along: women from the rural communities, women from the urban centre, educated, non-educated and all of that.”
Atoyebi said, “Going forward, these women will use empowerment materials that will be donated to them free of charge today to also empower other women to support their families and communities. As we know, an empowered woman will empower her community.”
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Planning Committee, Zainab Ibrahim, described the initiative as a structural shift in national development.
“Today, here and now, we do not just represent 10 million voices. We represent 10 million homes, 10 million builders and the price of a nation’s economy.”
“By mobilising these 10 million voices, we are stabilising 10 million families and securing the future of our nation.”
A major highlight of the event was the symbolic presentation of empowerment kits and start-up materials to beneficiaries drawn from the six Area Councils of the FCT.
For a Renewed Hope beneficiary, Founder of Le Look Bags Academy, Chinwe Ezenwa, the Skill Center represents a tangible economic opportunity.
“This center, situated in the heart of Abuja, is set to become one of the most important skill acquisition centers in Nigeria. It will help curb youth unemployment, create wealth, and reduce poverty. The graduates of this center will not only be self-employed but will also become employers of labour.”
“The Power of 10 Million Empowerment Movement is a clear indication that many women who hitherto were left behind have now decided to take their destinies into their own hands.” She added.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic agenda, including leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, with a focus on scaling Made-in-Nigeria production and expanding women-led enterprises.
The unveiling signals a policy-driven commitment to women’s economic inclusion, positioning skills development and enterprise support as key levers for national growth.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of empowerment kits and start-up materials to beneficiaries drawn from the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Items distributed to the women include tricycles, power tillers, sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dryers, and freezers.
