Governor Buni Drops ₦1.2bn to Empower Yobe Women and Keep Girls in School

In a major move to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has unveiled a sweeping ₦1.2 billion empowerment scheme dedicated to the upliftment of women and adolescent girls.

The multi-dimensional program, launched this week in Damaturu, is designed to hit two birds with one stone: boosting female-led small businesses and ensuring that the “out-of-school” crisis becomes a thing of the past. From the ₦1.2 billion pot, thousands of adolescent girls will receive direct cash transfers to cover the costs of uniforms and books, removing the financial barriers that often force young girls out of secondary school.

For the women of Yobe, the scheme is a “business lifeline.” Hundreds of beneficiaries across the 17 local government areas are being equipped with “starter packs” ranging from deep freezers to specialized vocational tools. The goal is simple: turn stay-at-home mothers and vulnerable widows into self-reliant entrepreneurs who can contribute to the state’s GDP.

“We are not just giving out money; we are investing in the foundation of our society,” Governor Buni stated during the unveiling. “When you empower a woman, you feed a nation. When you educate a girl, you secure the future.”

However, the Governor also issued a stern “tough love” warning to those who might be tempted to trade their empowerment tools for quick cash. He revealed that the state has implemented a strict monitoring system, and any beneficiary caught selling their equipment will be blacklisted from future government interventions.

This ₦1.2 billion investment comes at a critical time as Yobe continues its recovery from years of insurgency, positioning the state as a leader in gender-focused development in Northern Nigeria.