The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has empowered over 1,400 small-scale business owners in Plateau State with grants exceeding N280 million, as part of efforts to stimulate entrepreneurship and economic growth.
The empowerment programme, held in Jos, provided financial support and business equipment to beneficiaries selected through a competitive process involving over 48,000 applicants.
Speaking at the event, Yilwatda described the initiative as a people-driven intervention aligned with the economic vision of President Bola Tinubu, noting that sustainable development must be anchored on individual productivity and enterprise.
“Change is possible, and it is driven by people. No matter how small your contribution is, you can transform lives. That is what we are doing here today,” he said.
He urged beneficiaries to shift from dependence on public sector employment to entrepreneurship, stressing that small businesses remain critical to job creation and wealth generation.
“The era of relying solely on civil service jobs is gone. Opportunities now lie in entrepreneurship. Grow your businesses, employ others, and build sustainable wealth,” he added.
Yilwatda further linked the initiative to ongoing federal investments in infrastructure, including road networks, rail systems, and energy projects, which he said would create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. He also highlighted the Federal Government’s plan to upgrade the Jos Airport into an international cargo hub to boost export potential for local producers.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, commended the programme, describing it as a timely intervention to strengthen grassroots economic development.
“This initiative reflects a commitment to empowering citizens and fostering inclusive growth. We encourage beneficiaries to utilise the resources responsibly for business expansion,” she said.
Also speaking, Director-General of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Ezekiel Gomos, said the selection process was conducted transparently through an online system, adding that only viable and growth-oriented business plans were considered.
According to him, the grants were designed as seed capital for existing businesses, with a structured mentorship and monitoring framework to ensure sustainability.
Breakdown of the support shows that 60 beneficiaries received N1 million each, 300 got N200,000, while about 900 received N100,000, alongside equipment such as tricycles, sewing machines, and technical tool kits.
Yilwatda said beneficiaries would be assessed periodically, with prospects for additional funding and support for those who demonstrate business growth and accountability.
Analysts say such targeted interventions could help deepen micro-enterprise development and reduce unemployment, particularly among youth, if sustained and effectively monitored.
