Kano Disburses N290m Empowerment Grants to 5,800 Women

Under its Monthly Women's Empowerment and Poverty Relief Programme, the Kano State Government has rolled out N50,000 cash grants to 5,800 women spread across the state's 44 Local Government Areas.

Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf disclosed this on Monday in Kano while inaugurating the distribution exercise for the beneficiaries.

The programme, themed "Empowering Women, Transforming Lives, Building Stronger Communities and Promoting Inclusive Growth and Development," forms part of the administration's Renewed Hope and Kano First Initiatives.

According to Kabir-Yusuf, the empowerment scheme was introduced shortly after his administration came into office and is expected to continue until December. He appealed to the beneficiaries to reciprocate with their support for the All-Progressives Congress (APC), noting that their votes had helped bring the current administration into power. "With your votes, we came into power, and now you are here receiving empowerment," he said.

The governor urged the women to use the funds judiciously by investing in viable businesses that could help sustain their families, and further encouraged them to vote wisely in the 2027 general elections.

Deputy Governor Alhaji Murtala Sule-Garo said the administration had fulfilled about 97 per cent of its campaign promises, particularly in the areas of health, education and road infrastructure. He commended the governor for the empowerment initiative, describing it as a gesture that would improve the livelihoods of women across the state, and urged beneficiaries to turn out early and in large numbers to vote for APC candidates at all levels during the elections.

Also speaking, the Emir of Gaya, Dr Aliyu Ibrahim-Abdulkadir, praised the governor for the initiative, noting that traditional rulers were pleased with the programme. "This empowerment has made us happier than even the beneficiaries because it is directly touching the lives of our people," he said, urging the women to invest the funds wisely to improve their families' economic wellbeing. The emir also commended the governor's interventions in health and education, including the payment of compensation for land acquired for the newly approved Federal Polytechnic, Gaya, and prayed for continued peace and stability in Kano State and Nigeria.

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud-Bunkure, also commended the governor for the initiative, urging beneficiaries to make the best use of the funds while similarly calling on the women to support the APC in the 2027 elections.

Representing the beneficiaries, Rabi'a Muhammad — a widow raising seven children — expressed gratitude to the governor for the gesture, noting that the funds would go toward supporting her children and covering their school fees.