Edati Residents Benefit as Niger First Lady Rolls Out N100m Empowerment

The Wife of the Niger State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago, has extended her grassroots economic empowerment initiative to Edati Local Government Area with a N100 million Mega Empowerment Programme aimed at supporting residents across the ten wards of the area.

The initiative, which was held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Enagi Primary School, Edati, is part of the First Lady’s sustained efforts to create economic opportunities and improve the livelihoods of residents across Niger State.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Wife of the Governor, Hadiza Maikano-Sani, the programme allocated N10 million to each of the ten wards, with individual beneficiaries receiving N100,000 to support existing businesses, establish new ventures and strengthen their sources of livelihood.

The benefiting wards are Enagi, Guzzan, Rokota, Etsu Tasha, Sakpe, Gbangban, Fazhi, Gonagi, Gazhe 1 and Gazhe 2.

The First Lady said the intervention was not merely about providing financial assistance but also about encouraging beneficiaries to become economically productive, self-reliant and capable of building sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.

She urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously, improve their businesses, embrace creativity and explore new opportunities that would enable them to expand beyond the immediate support.

Hajiya Fatima Bago stressed that the success of the empowerment programme would largely depend on the responsible utilisation of the funds by beneficiaries.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Edati Local Government Council welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation to the First Lady for taking the empowerment programme to the grassroots.

Also speaking, former Commissioner for Transport, Hajiya Ramatu Yaradua, described the intervention as an inclusive programme designed to benefit residents irrespective of political affiliation.

She said the primary objective was to improve the living conditions of the people by providing them with the means to strengthen their economic activities and become more self-reliant.

The event also featured Gwape and other cultural displays, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Edati Local Government Area.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the First Lady for the intervention, describing the financial support as timely and capable of making a positive impact on their businesses and livelihoods.

The Edati programme forms part of Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago’s broader grassroots empowerment agenda, with plans to extend similar interventions to other Local Government Areas, particularly across Zone A, to reach more residents and expand economic opportunities.

The initiative is expected to contribute to the First Lady’s vision of promoting inclusive economic empowerment, strengthening families, building resilient communities and supporting sustainable development across Niger State.