Adamawa State has stepped up its initiatives to promote youth and women empowerment through entrepreneurship and wealth creation programs, building upon the foundation established with the creation of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development in 2019 under Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. In addition, the state set up the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency, tasked with driving programs that focus on skills acquisition, financial inclusion, and the growth of local businesses.
A key highlight of these initiatives is the Fintiri Business Wallet, officially launched on March 14, 2024, designed to provide direct financial support to small-scale business owners. At the launch event, 10,000 entrepreneurs from various sectors each received ₦50,000 to strengthen and expand their businesses.
Government officials explained that the scheme was structured to stimulate grassroots economic activity by empowering local enterprises and granting access to vital capital.
Since the program’s inception, it has disbursed ₦6 billion to 120,000 beneficiaries, fostering sustainable livelihood opportunities and reducing unemployment across the state. Governor Fintiri described the initiative as a strategic move to secure the future of the state’s most active population segments.
“This is a deliberate strategy to secure the future of our youth and women by equipping them with the resources they need to succeed,” Governor Fintiri remarked.
Encouraged by the program’s impact, the administration has announced plans to support an additional 100,000 beneficiaries in the next phase of the initiative.
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Hon. Michael Zira, Ph.D., who oversaw the pilot implementation, emphasized that the success of the Fintiri Business Wallet underscores the effectiveness of targeted financial programs in alleviating poverty and promoting self-reliance.
“We are not only reducing poverty levels, but we are also generating wealth and unlocking the potential of our most dynamic population,” Hon. Zira stated.
The initiative has earned widespread recognition as a model for direct empowerment in Nigeria, providing financial backing while enhancing inclusivity by granting youth and women access to business funding, small loans, and entrepreneurship development opportunities.
Through the Fintiri Business Wallet and complementary poverty alleviation schemes, Adamawa State is establishing itself as a prime example of how local governments can directly promote entrepreneurship, strengthen small-scale businesses, and drive regional economic development.
