The Federal Government has announced plans to distribute 37,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines to women across Nigeria as part of its ongoing empowerment efforts.

This initiative was revealed by the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, who shared the update via her X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday.

The distribution is aimed at supporting women-led businesses, fostering financial independence, and creating opportunities for economic growth at the grassroots level.

Mrs Kennedy-Ohanenye disclosed that the distribution of these machines would be carried out through the office of the Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagements, each representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

She described the SSAs as crucial “foot soldiers” who would not only facilitate the distribution but also monitor the proper use of the allocated resources.

This collaboration between the Ministry of Women Affairs and the SSAs aims to ensure that the initiative reaches the most vulnerable and underserved women across the country.

The Minister explained that she had a productive meeting with the SSAs to discuss strategies to enhance community engagement and ensure the success of this empowerment program.

“The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has partnered with the Senior Special Assistants on Community Engagements to the President to strengthen grassroots empowerment and overcome ineffective advocacy and consultancy methods,” she stated.

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Mrs. Kennedy-Ohanenye noted that the SSAs would be responsible for overseeing the proper use of funds provided by donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), ensuring that the money reaches women and children in need.

The representatives present at the meeting included Abiodun Essiet (North Central), Abdullahi Yakasai (North West), Davis Ojeme (South East), and Nuru Nyaku (North East), all of whom engaged in discussions about how best to implement the program and drive meaningful change at the community level.

“I emphasized the importance of moving away from traditional advocacy and consultancy, and instead focusing on practical empowerment,” Mrs. Kennedy-Ohanenye said.

“Women make up 70% of Nigeria’s population, including children, and their empowerment is crucial to improving the country’s future. This initiative is a vital step in that direction.”

She further explained that by disbursing 37,000 POS machines, the ministry hopes to enable women to take greater control of their economic opportunities and improve the well-being of their families.

The SSAs will play a key role in monitoring the use of these machines, ensuring that they contribute to the intended empowerment of women within their respective communities.

The minister’s collaborative approach, alongside the oversight by the SSAs, is designed to ensure that this empowerment scheme delivers tangible results, reaching those who need it most and fostering sustainable growth.

The partnership between the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the SSAs represents a focused effort to empower women through access to financial tools, which will ultimately help bridge the economic gap in many communities across Nigeria.

As the plan progresses, the government hopes to see significant changes in the financial landscape of women, especially at the grassroots level, where access to financial services can be a transformative step toward independence and growth.

This initiative marks another step in the government’s efforts to uplift vulnerable populations and promote gender equality in Nigeria.