The Yobe State Government has approved N460.83 million to empower female small business owners across the state, with akara sellers among the major beneficiaries.
The approval was made on Thursday during the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Mai Mala Buni at the Government House, Damaturu.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego, said the intervention is designed to support women in small-scale businesses by providing essential items to boost their livelihoods.
According to him, the council approved N460,828,450.00 for the procurement of beans for distribution.
“The beans will be distributed along with cooking oil, smokeless stoves, cooking utensils and kitchenware, which have already been procured and stored by the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation,” Bego said.
He disclosed that 1,780 bags of 50kg beans will be distributed to beneficiaries as part of the empowerment package.
The Commissioner added that the initiative forms part of the Buni administration’s efforts to improve the living conditions of women and strengthen micro-businesses across Yobe.
More Empowerment Approvals
In the same meeting, the council also approved:
1. N364.48 million for the procurement of 1,000 Yamaha GX 390 grinding machines for distribution to residents under the state’s empowerment programme.
2. N73.32 billion for projects and services across critical sectors. This includes N28.53 billion for agricultural tools under the 2026 mega agricultural empowerment programme, and N23.97 billion for two major road projects, plus funding for housing, markets and other infrastructure.
Bego said the approvals reflect the government’s commitment to job creation, poverty reduction, and economic growth in the state.
The distribution of the beans, stoves, and grinding machines is expected to commence soon through the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation.