Grant - News Agency Of Nigeria

Ismail Abdulaziz
Aug, Fri, 2025

RHI: 500 women get N25m empowerment grant in Niger

By Rita Iliya

Hajiya Fatima Bago, Wife of Niger Governor and state Coordinator of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has disbursed N25 million Economic Empowerment programme grant to 500 women in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, had on Tuesday, launched the programme under her pet project, Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with Tony Elumelu Foundation.

NAN reports that the programme was to support 18,500 women entrepreneurs with business recapitalisation grants nationwide including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with N50,000 each.

She explained that the disbursement was in continuation of the programme launched in Niger by the First Lady, where she made a symbolic presentation of N50,000 to 50 women.

Bago urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants and advised those without businesses to venture into entrepreneurship.

“This grant is a seed of trust placed in your capable hands, use it wisely, grow it, let it change your story and inspire others,” she said.

She reiterated that the grants were meant to empower women and improve their livelihoods.

The governor’s wife commended the partnership between RHI and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, saying it was a shining example of how private sector and national programme could work together to create lasting impact.

She also thanked her husband, Gov. Umaru Bago for his support for programmes that uplift women and children, adding that his belief in inclusive development was a solid pillar.

Earlier in her remarks, Mrs Mary Noel-Berje, Special Adviser to Niger Governor on Women and Affirmative Action, advised the beneficiaries to make the First Lady and governor’s wife proud by improving their businesses.

“You must multiple what you have been given today, because businesses can be started small and can lead to a higher yield, you can use the little gotten today to become self-reliant,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Deputy Speaker of Niger House of Assembly, promised to monitor the beneficiaries, especially those from zone B, to ensure they use the grant wisely.

In their remarks, the beneficiaries including Alheri Yafimugunta and Aisha Yawa, thanked the wives of the president and the governor for the gesture and promised to use money to improve their businesses. (NAN)

Edited by Isaac Ukpoju

Procurement: PPDC unveils ,500 grant to empower grassroots project monitors

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jul, Thu, 2025

General News

Procurement: PPDC unveils $7,500 grant to empower grassroots project monitors

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has unveiled an application portal for the 7,500 dollars ‘Budeshi Mini Grant’ designed to empower grassroots actors monitoring public procurement projects.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Mrs Lucy Abagi, said that members of every participating group or organisation would be given 300 dollars and training to enhance their skills.

The initiative, according to Abagi, is aimed at supporting community advocates and ensuring that service delivery reaches the communities that have been left behind.

“Today, we officially opened the application portal for the $7,500 Budeshi mini grant, a major step in our efforts to localise transparency and empower civic actors at the grassroots level.

“This initiative, launched in partnership with Devon Technologies through the Budeshi platform, is designed to support community advocates.

“It covers public procurement monitors, a grassroots organisation or a citizen advocate passionate about tracking public projects and ensuring service delivery reaches the unreached communities left behind.

“The Budeshi grant application portal is an open, transparent digital platform designed to support local organisations across Nigeria in applying for and managing small grants dedicated to tracking public procurement projects in their states.

“Built by Devon Technologies Ltd. and powered by PPDC, this new system ensures that the grant process is inclusive, accountable and citizen-centered, from registration to reporting,” she said.

According to her, what truly drives change is when that access is paired with action, adding: “That’s why this mini grant is more than just funding, it’s an opportunity.

“It’s an opportunity for citizens to dig into the data, raise their voices, engage public institutions and hold duty bearers accountable,” she stated.

Abagi said that the initiative would be expanded across Africa, building a pan-African accountability movement, driven by technology, transparency and the power of local communities.

“We want to see Budeshi replicated, adapted and led by African citizens across borders. We believe that when citizens are equipped with the right tools, information and support, they don’t just track projects, they shift the system.

“So, as we begin today’s conversations and demonstrations, I invite you to engage deeply, ask questions and imagine with us: What could governance look like if transparency truly belongs to the people,” she said.

Also speaking, the Programme Officer of PPDC, Precious Adigwe, said that 37 institutions were expected to participate in the programme across the country.

Adigwe also said that there would be a new platform to ensure that the impact of the project was achieved.

“On the platform, we’re going to teach them on how to collect data, mine this data, use this data for policy advocacy, utilise the use of FOI and engage with their leaders in their communities, teaching them an all-encompassing advocacy strategy for policy advocacy.

“At the end of the day, we are not just empowering them with this stipend but also empowering them with skills that they will forever remember; that will not only build their organisations but also build the individual,” she explained.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the programme is being sponsored by PPDC, it still looks forward to seeing well-spirited Nigerians and donor agencies that will partner with it for sustainability. (NAN)

Edited by Wale Sadiq

Association, GEF-SGP to support 470 MSMEs in nature-positive growth

Lydia Beshel
Jun, Fri, 2025

Agriculture

Association, GEF-SGP to support 470 MSMEs in nature-positive growth

Empowerment

By Felicia Imohimi

The International Trade Facilitators Association (ITFA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are collaborating under the Global Environment Facility-Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP).

They have committed to empowering 470 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

This initiative was announced during the inauguration of the “Support to Potential and Established Nature-Positive MSMEs in Nigeria (SPEMN) Sustainability Coaching Programme” in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project is funded by GEF-SGP with additional co-financing from cash and in-kind contributions from other sources and implemented by ITFA.

Mr Collins Ezeiruaku, Trade Ambassador at ITFA, explained that the programme aimed to enhance MSMEs’ business skills, market access, and readiness for global certification.

He noted that the project’s primary objective was to enable nature-positive MSMEs to become successful, self-sustaining businesses through capacity building, improved market access, and training on international certification standards.

Ezeiruaku said the selected beneficiaries were drawn from Lagos (South West), Nasarawa (North Central), Cross River (South South), Kano (North West), Abia (South East), Bauchi (North East), and the Federal Capital Territory.

He added that 30 per cent of the programme’s beneficiaries would be women, youth, indigenous people, and persons with disabilities.

He said that the expected outcomes included improved business sustainability, increased profitability, and enhanced market presence for participating MSMEs.

Also speaking, Ibironke Olubamise, National Coordinator of GEF-SGP, reiterated the programme’s commitment to supporting environmental and livelihood initiatives.

Represented by Rose Agbo, Programme Assistant, she emphasised the need for stakeholders to back strategic projects that supported sustainable development at local, regional, and global levels.

Agbo noted that the initiative encouraged MSMEs to adopt nature-positive approaches to business, balancing environmental stewardship with commercial success.(NAN)(www.nannews.ngr

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

UniAbuja awards N5.45m grant to 6 undergraduates for research

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jan, Tue, 2025

Education

UniAbuja awards N5.45m grant to 6 undergraduates for research

By Uche Bibilari

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has presented a total of N5.450 million in grants to six undergraduate students from different departments in the university for research projects.

The Vice Chancellor, UniAbuja, Prof. Aisha Maikudi presented the cheque to the students at the 6th Undergraduate Research Day organised by the Centre for Undergraduates Research on Tuesday in Abuja.

The research day has its theme as: Promoting National Development Through Research.

Maikudi said that the event was an important platform that underscores the critical role of research in driving national development.

She said that UniAbuja was committed to fostering an environment where curiosity thrives, creativity flourishes, and innovation leads to solutions for societal challenges.

“This commitment aligns perfectly with our theme, Promoting National Development Through Research, which calls for purposeful inquiry and actionable outcomes.

“As undergraduates, you are the next generation of thought leaders and change-makers.

“Your involvement in research today prepares you not only for academic excellence but also for contributing meaningfully to our nation’s growth.

“Whether it is in addressing health challenges, advancing technology, enhancing governance, or ensuring sustainability, the solutions to our greatest national issues lie in the quality of ideas that emerge from platforms like this,” she said.

The vice chancellor said that the purpose of the research was not just to acquire knowledge but to transform it into progress for society.

She encouraged all participants to engage actively, collaborate effectively, and think boldly.

Maikudi said the university would continue to sponsor the students, saying there was a need to catch them young.

She advised the researcher to use the money for the purpose which it was meant for.

The VC commended the centre and staff who mentored the students for their dedication to nurturing young minds and providing them with the tools to tackle real-world problems.

Similarly, the Director, Centre for Undergraduates Research, Prof. Taibat Atoyebi said the centre was established to promote research and create opportunities for undergraduate students across all departments in the university.

Atoyebi said the centre has helped students achieve and nurture their research potentials by building and developing their research skills to find solutions to the challenges plaguing the society.

According to her, for a student to be eligible for grant, the student’s research must be original, acceptable, practicable, sustainable and mentored.

She said that the researches were expected to cover areas such as; economic prosperity, food security, educational opportunity, quality health, climate change, environmental protection, among others.

The director said the goal of the centre was to foster growth that would have a lasting impact on our immediate community.

She explained that in preparation for the research day, twenty groups of students expressed interest in the centre’s research grant.

“Thirteen teams were shortlisted to submit research proposals, and were given the opportunity to orally defend their proposals. Six research proposals scaled through and are being presented today.

“A total of N5.45 million is the total grant being awarded. We are currently receiving applications and proposals from interested groups of students for the next batch of grants.

“We have modified our criteria to include sustainable development goals (SDGs), that is our student researches must directly be traced to any of the SDGs and must be able to solve our pertinent societal needs, ” she said.

She said that research output from the proposal of the 6th research would be presented during the 7th research day in the second semester.

She thanked the vice chancellor for her support to the centre and also the mentors for their dedication.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the presentation of the cheque to the six researchers. (NAN)

Edited by Peter Amine

Nigerian smart schools get KOICA’s N9.5m grant

Philip Daniel Yatai
Dec, Fri, 2024

Education

Nigerian smart schools get KOICA’s N9.5m grant

By Sarafina Christopher

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has awarded N9.5 million in cash grants and laptops to smart schools in Nasarawa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bauchi, Cross River, Ekiti, and Kano States.

The awards were distributed in four categories to include best smart school, best teachers, best students, and best content which were given during the first best practice conference of KOICA Smart Schools which was held on Dec. 9 and 10 in Abuja.

In a statement made available to NAN on Thursday, Nasarawa Smart School, led by the Principal, Mr Ja’afar Adi and Head Teacher, Mrs Fatima Sani, emerged the overall best smart school in Nigeria, securing a cash grant of N3 million and laptops.

Kano and Bauchi states smart schools followed in second and third places, receiving N2 million and N1.5 million grants along with laptops. Other participating schools also received N1 million in support grants.

In the individual categories, Mr Ruslana Aminu from Kano State was honored as the best primary school teacher, while Mr Liyel Eyo from Cross River won the best junior secondary school Teacher award.

Saminu Shafi’u and Ahmad Shafi’u, both from Kano State won the best student primary and junior secondary schools category.

Cross River smart school was recognised for producing the best content in both mathematics and science subjects.

KOICA Country Director, Mr Son Sungil said that the conference serves as a platform for KOICA-supported smart schools from the aforementioned states to showcase their innovative practices, review school management strategies, and enhance their curriculum operations.

“School principals, head teachers, teachers, and students demonstrated their teaching methodologies, skills in digital content creation, and effective use of storytelling through digital technology,” he stated.

Son also noted that since the launch of its Smart education initiative in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in 2021, KOICA has been instrumental in advancing educational standards in Nigeria.

“KOICA started a smart education project with UBEC, installing modern education content development Studios in 6 smart schools across 6 states, training over 250 teachers, principals and education stakeholders in Korea and Nigeria on smart education,

“Developing Smart education guidelines for school operation and handing over 1,662 educational contents on mathematics and science subjects to smart schools in Nigeria through UBEC.

He also expressed his satisfaction with the project’s outcomes, highlighting its role in enhancing basic education in Nigeria.

Malam Mamoud Muhammed, Director of Technical Services at UBEC, noted that the conference provided an excellent opportunity for both UBEC and KOICA to assess the impacts of the smart school projects across the states.

NAN reports that all the winners received laptops, tablets, and additional incentives for their outstanding achievements.(NAN)

Edited by Halima Sheji