“Cash, Classrooms, and Career Boosts!” Shettima Set to Launch Mega Empowerment Fund for Millions of Women and Youths

The Federal Government is moving to put more power and money into the hands of Nigeria’s youngest and most industrious citizens. This Wednesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima will officially pull back the curtain on a game-changing empowerment fund aimed at transforming the lives of women, youth, and children across the country.

Speaking ahead of the high-stakes event at the State House, the Vice President made it clear that Nigeria’s “prosperity-filled future” depends on how well the government can bridge the gap between talented citizens and the funding they need to succeed. The new initiative, part of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2026, isn’t just a government solo project; it’s a massive team-up with the United Nations and the Sterling One Foundation.

The star of the show will be the Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI) platform. Think of it as a national headquarters for economic growth, designed to give women and young entrepreneurs access to co-investment frameworks and performance-backed support. By launching this, Nigeria becomes the first country to roll out the African Union’s flagship empowerment model, setting the pace for the rest of the continent.

But the plan goes deeper than just business. Recognizing that a strong economy starts in the classroom, the Vice President will also launch the Nigeria Foundational Learning Fund. This branch of the program is specifically targeted at fixing the country’s literacy issues and getting millions of out-of-school children back into desks and learning.

“Nigeria’s future depends on how effectively we mobilise the private sector and development partners around shared national priorities,” Shettima noted. With over 200 leaders from the diplomatic community, big business, and civil society expected to attend, the message is clear: the government is looking for more than just applause they are looking for results.

For the millions of young Nigerians and women looking for a “leg up,” this new fund represents a significant shift from simple talk to actual, measurable action. As the Vice President prepares to sign the official declaration, the eyes of the continent are on Abuja to see if this “Lagos-style” efficiency can be replicated nationwide.