First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Wednesday marked the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) with a major national empowerment programme, disbursing ₦200,000 each to 9,500 beneficiaries across the country — a total of ₦1.9 billion in direct support to persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The First Lady formally launched the initiative at Mambilla Barracks, Abuja, where 250 physically challenged military and police veterans received support. She said the intervention reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda’s commitment to inclusion, dignity, and shared prosperity, noting that the programme is being executed simultaneously in all 36 states, the FCT, and through DEPOWA.
According to her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, Senator Tinubu emphasised that national growth is strengthened when every citizen is empowered to contribute meaningfully. Quoting disability rights advocate Helen Keller, she stated that building an inclusive society requires collective effort and the creation of opportunities for all.
Senator Tinubu highlighted the scale of support provided by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) since its establishment in 2023, noting that more than 100,000 small businesses — including those owned by PWDs — have already benefited from its recapitalisation scheme. She announced that the PWD Economic Empowerment Programme will now hold annually every December 3 in commemoration of IDPD.
Representing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, a senior military official described the initiative as “compassion in action,” aligning with RHI’s broader social investment efforts. The event, attended by disability groups, military families, and government officials, further underscored the First Lady’s commitment to making economic inclusion a national priority.
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4 comments
Thanks for your kindness… I am looking for shop business with empower
I Hadiza Haruna Usman from Katsina state I am deaf woman so Katsina state deaf APC association woman leader I want use this opinion to give my thanking to Nigerian first lady mama oluremi tinubu for the kindness honestly and justice she shows up on people with disabilities in Nigerian
I appreciate your kindness and support to us we pray the almighty Allah to keep your lovely husband continue winning second team again insha Allah Nigerian sai baba asiwaju da shattima in coming 2027 my vote card is for APC baba asiwaju and shattima
I am abdulrazaq Shuaib a person living with from kogi local government in kogi state , local government P R O association of person living with disability, kogi local government chapter, of our members from benefit but I don’t benefit, may almighty Allah protect and bless her excellency.
Thank you first lady to his excellency President and Commondor of the Arm forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tunibu. My name is Sulaiman Zubairu from Kano, we are just hearing the empowerment and support you have given to our brothers and sisters in other States, but please investigate where Kano shared their own. Because I am physically challenged person, and I have never hard such hurge amount you send to distribute among us.
My advice please if at all you want disturbing anything for PWDs, please let it follow through our data from the NCPWD. And please insist on the NCPWD to capture all the data of PWDs a cross the Federation. Thank you.