First Lady Disburses N100m Grant to 2,000 Benue Women and Opens ICT Centre

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, announced on Tuesday that she will award a N100 million empowerment grant to 2,000 women who run small businesses in Benue State.

The announcement came as she commissioned a Community Information and Technology Centre in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area. She highlighted the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in fostering economic and social progress, especially for women and youth.

During the ceremony, Mrs Tinubu noted that Benue State now hosts four ICT centres, and that a total of 15 such facilities have been set up across the country—in Abia, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, and the Federal Capital Territory.

She said the centres are fully equipped with computers and other digital tools to help bridge the technology gap and broaden access to digital opportunities nationwide.

“The knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool for empowering communities, especially women, and will enable them to break new opportunities and enhance youths in their educational prospects in the global economy,” she added.

On the grant, she explained that the Renewed Hope Initiative will provide a N50 million grant to 1,000 women in Vandeikya and an additional N50 million to 1,000 women in Makurdi and surrounding areas to recapitalise their existing businesses, bringing the total to N100 million for 2,000 petty traders.

The ICT facility in Ihugh was named after Louis Aluor by the First Lady.

The centre was created through a partnership between the Renewed Hope Initiative and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to improve digital literacy and technological inclusion in local communities.

Earlier that day, Mrs Tinubu commissioned an 11.5‑kilometre road project in Makurdi. One of the roads completed under the project, Ishayaba Road, was named in her honour.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, speaking at the event, described the ICT centre as a landmark investment that would boost entrepreneurship, support e‑commerce activities, and provide incubation opportunities for small businesses.

He added that the Benue State Government would ensure the facility remains functional by providing start‑up support, reliable electricity, and internet connectivity.