Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday marked the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities by providing ₦200,000 business support grants to 9,500 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the country.
The nationwide disbursement was formally launched at the Mambilla Barracks in Abuja, where 250 physically challenged military and police veterans received their grants during a ceremony attended by senior military officials and representatives of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu said the initiative reflects her belief that the nation becomes stronger when all citizens are empowered to contribute meaningfully.
“This event holds special significance as it coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and is being launched simultaneously across the 36 states of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and DEPOWA,” she said.
Quoting American disability rights advocate Helen Keller, the First Lady added: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” She noted that fostering a disability-inclusive society is essential to national progress.
The intervention is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the First Lady’s social impact programme aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for inclusive economic growth.
Senator Tinubu highlighted that the RHI has supported over 100,000 petty traders, small business owners, and PWDs over the last two years through direct grants aimed at strengthening livelihoods across sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and economic empowerment.
She announced that the Economic Empowerment Programme for Persons with Disabilities will now be institutionalised as an annual event held every December 3, in commemoration of World Disability Day.
“To all our beneficiaries, I encourage you to make good use of this opportunity. Let it be a seed that grows into something greater—a business that sustains you and your family,” she said.
Representing the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, a senior military officer praised the initiative as “compassion in action”, noting that it complements medical, food, and welfare interventions previously delivered by the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The First Lady assured that more support programmes targeted at vulnerable groups will continue in the months ahead.