Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called on residents of Ekiti State to support the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, while unveiling a N100 million empowerment grant for 2,000 women entrepreneurs in the state.
Speaking at a women’s gathering in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, Tinubu praised the governor’s administration and urged voters to return him to office in the forthcoming governorship election. She described Oyebanji’s leadership as deserving of continued public support and encouraged residents to sustain the progress recorded under his administration.
As part of her visit, the First Lady announced a N100 million grant aimed at supporting women-owned small businesses across the state. Under the initiative, 2,000 women are expected to receive N50,000 each to strengthen their enterprises and improve household livelihoods. She emphasized that the funds are grants rather than loans and therefore will not require repayment by beneficiaries.
The announcement comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2026 Ekiti governorship election, in which Oyebanji is seeking a second term in office. The governor has received endorsements from several political stakeholders and groups within the state in recent months.
Tinubu also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future and reaffirmed her support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying she would return to Ekiti to mobilize support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The empowerment initiative is part of the First Lady’s broader efforts to support women and vulnerable groups through economic intervention programmes across the country. Similar initiatives have been implemented in several states under her pet projects and empowerment schemes.
