Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has officially unveiled the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Empowerment and Skills Village in Abuja, describing the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen women’s economic participation and improve livelihoods across Nigeria.
The unveiling formed part of the 10 Million Mega Rally and Empowerment programme held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where women from different communities gathered to receive empowerment tools, business support materials and vocational opportunities designed to improve income generation and reduce unemployment.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, the First Lady praised the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, for driving what she described as a transformative programme focused on placing women at the centre of national development.
She encouraged beneficiaries to make proper use of the opportunities being provided through the initiative.
“It will prosper in your hands, and you will make money to take care of your family. In Jesus’ name. God bless you,” Oluremi Tinubu said.
The newly unveiled Empowerment and Skills Village is expected to serve as a major hub for vocational training, enterprise support and skills acquisition for women and young people, particularly those seeking practical pathways into self-employment and small business ownership.
According to the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, the project is a key component of the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim explained that the initiative aligns with the directive of the First Lady to “put money in the hands of Nigerian women” through practical empowerment and income-generating opportunities.
She said the programme is designed to move beyond symbolic support by creating structures that can provide sustainable economic value to women across the country.
The empowerment initiative also received support from other members of the Federal Executive Council, who described it as part of a larger national strategy aimed at reducing poverty, supporting families and expanding opportunities for women.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said the programme reflects the First Lady’s long-term vision for women empowerment and community transformation.
“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,” Musawa said.
She added that the initiative goes beyond the immediate target of 10 million women and represents a broader investment in Nigeria’s future.
“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,” she stated.
Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, described the programme as a landmark intervention for Nigerian women.
According to her, the scale of empowerment materials distributed during the event demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving women’s economic participation.
“For Nigerian women, today is a very special day,” she said.
Bunkure noted that beneficiaries received items including tricycles, fridges, freezers and other business support tools capable of helping women establish or expand income-generating ventures.
“This is to show you that this government of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put women at the centre of governance,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, linked the initiative to the Federal Government’s broader Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme.
She said the administration is intentionally ensuring that women are not excluded from ongoing economic and vocational reforms.
“This government is not only for Nigerian women; it is deliberately investing in them as a national priority,” Ahmad said.
She explained that the TVET programme allows Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 45 to acquire vocational skills, receive stipends and graduate with starter packs that can help them begin businesses immediately after training.
“Any person between the ages of 18 and 45 can come and learn a trade, receive a stipend, and graduate with a starter pack,” she said.
According to her, the approach is designed to connect skills acquisition directly with economic empowerment.
“This is how we move people from learning to earning. This is how we reduce unemployment, strengthen families, and build a productive nation,” she added.
Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi also commended the scale and inclusiveness of the programme, noting that women from rural and urban communities were all represented.
“We have not seen such an event, such an empowerment, in quite a while,” she said.
Atoyebi argued that the intervention differs from conventional political empowerment programmes because of its focus on long-term economic impact rather than temporary support.
“This is intentional,” she stated, adding that empowered women often go on to support other women within their communities.
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,” she said.
She added that empowering millions of women would ultimately strengthen families and contribute to long-term economic stability in Nigeria.
One of the major highlights of the event was the presentation of empowerment kits and start-up materials to beneficiaries from the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Items distributed included tricycles, power tillers, sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dryers and freezers.
For beneficiaries and entrepreneurs present at the event, the Skills Village represents more than a ceremonial project.
Founder of Le Look Bags Academy, Chinwe Ezenwa, described the centre as a major opportunity for economic transformation.
“This center, situated in the heart of Abuja, is set to become one of the most important skill acquisition centers in Nigeria,” Ezenwa said.
According to her, the project has the potential to reduce youth unemployment, support wealth creation and produce new employers of labour through entrepreneurship and vocational training.
She added that the Power of 10 Million Empowerment Movement signals a new phase for women who previously lacked access to opportunities and economic support.
The initiative also aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic agenda, particularly efforts aimed at strengthening Made-in-Nigeria production and increasing the participation of women-led businesses under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
With the unveiling of the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Empowerment and Skills Village, the Federal Government is positioning skills development, vocational education and women-focused enterprise support as major tools for economic inclusion and national growth.
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