Yobe Govt Approves N460.8m to Empower Akara Sellers, Businesswomen

The Yobe State Government has approved the release of N460.83 million to support female small-scale business owners across the state, including akara sellers and other women engaged in petty trading.

The approval was granted during a meeting of the State Executive Council chaired by Governor Mai Mala Buni at the Government House in Damaturu.

Speaking after the meeting, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego, said the intervention is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen small businesses operated by women and improve their economic wellbeing.

According to him, the funds will be used to procure beans that will be distributed to beneficiaries across the state. The support package is expected to complement other empowerment materials already acquired by the government for distribution.

Bego explained that female entrepreneurs selected for the programme would receive beans alongside cooking oil, smokeless stoves, cooking utensils and other kitchen equipment that have already been procured through the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation.

He stated that 1,780 bags of beans weighing 50 kilograms each would be distributed to women under the initiative.

The commissioner said the programme reflects the administration’s commitment to supporting women at the grassroots level, particularly those involved in small-scale businesses that contribute to household income and local economic activities.

He noted that the government believes empowering women-owned businesses would help improve livelihoods, create opportunities for self-reliance and stimulate economic growth across communities.

The Executive Council also approved another empowerment initiative valued at N364.48 million for the purchase of 1,000 Yamaha GX 390 grinding machines.

Bego said the machines would be distributed to residents across the state as part of ongoing efforts to expand economic opportunities and support income-generating ventures.

According to him, the grinding machines are expected to assist beneficiaries in establishing or expanding small businesses while creating additional sources of revenue for families.

Beyond the empowerment programmes, the council approved several major projects and interventions across key sectors of the state’s economy.

The commissioner disclosed that projects and services worth N73.32 billion received approval during the meeting.

A significant portion of the funds, amounting to N28.53 billion, was approved for the procurement of agricultural tools and equipment ahead of the state’s 2026 mega agricultural empowerment programme.

The council also approved N23.97 billion for the execution of two major road projects aimed at improving transportation and connectivity within the state.

Other approvals covered housing schemes, market development projects and critical infrastructure intended to support economic growth and improve public services.

.