The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has unveiled a ₦110 million empowerment initiative for elderly citizens and persons with disabilities across Nigeria’s 109 senatorial districts under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The programme comprises two interventions, each allocated ₦55 million, with 250 beneficiaries expected to receive ₦200,000 apiece under each scheme in every senatorial district.
The first is the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme for Persons with Disabilities, while the second is the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme.
Mrs Tinubu announced the initiative on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; APC senators and senatorial candidates, as well as members of the Renewed Hope Initiative Governing Board.
She said the decision to involve senatorial candidates followed consultations with political leaders on how best to coordinate the programme and ensure that support reaches its intended beneficiaries.
The First Lady, however, cautioned that the intervention must not be limited to members of the ruling party, stressing that assistance should be extended to eligible Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliations.
“We don’t say give it only to party members, but give it to your voters,” she said.
Akpabio commended the First Lady for bringing together serving and incoming senators to coordinate the intervention, describing the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen the delivery of programmes for vulnerable citizens.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also praised the initiative, noting that the Renewed Hope Initiative’s monthly Food Outreach Programme had reached 31 states.
The financial support programme for persons with disabilities is scheduled to feature as part of activities marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, while the Elderly Support Scheme is expected to take place on December 17, 2026.
Deborah Adeyefa
