By Samson Obande, Lafia

The Hajiya Maryam Ahmed Wadada Aliyu Women Empowerment Scheme 2026 has commenced in Nasarawa State with the disbursement of ₦325 million to 6,500 women across the 13 Local Government Areas.

The intervention was flagged off on Monday at the headquarters of Awe Local Government Area. Under the scheme, 500 women from each LGA will receive ₦50,000 each, with coverage extending to all 147 wards in the state.

The initiative, championed by Hajiya Maryam Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, wife of the APC Governorship Candidate, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, is designed to provide direct financial support to women at the grassroots and boost their involvement in small-scale businesses.

Addressing beneficiaries in Awe, Hajiya Maryam urged them to treat the support as “seed capital” for sustainable income. She encouraged investment in businesses such as cake baking, groundnut processing, petty trading and other viable enterprises.

“Invest this money wisely so you can multiply it and secure a better economic future for yourselves and your families,” she said. “Women have a critical role to play in strengthening household economies and community development.”

Hajiya Maryam also used the occasion to call on the people of Nasarawa State to support her husband in the 2027 governorship election.

The Chairman of Awe Local Government Council, Alhaji Umar Dan-Akano, described the programme as a timely intervention to cushion economic hardship. He commended the Wadadas for taking empowerment directly to the grassroots.

The APC Women Leader, Mrs. Blessing Joseph, alongside Hajiya Rukaya Dan-Akano and Maryam Musa Ahmed, praised the scheme as people-focused and relevant given current economic challenges.

Hon. Idris Idi Dansadua, Special Assistant to Senator Wadada, said the programme was also a gesture of appreciation to those who supported the Senator during the APC governorship primaries.

Earlier, Hajiya Maryam paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Awe, who prayed for peace and a successful democratic process and urged citizens to participate actively in the 2027 elections.

The Awe flag-off marks the beginning of a statewide exercise scheduled to run from August 10 to 16, 2026. With ₦325 million, 6,500 beneficiaries, and 147 wards targeted, the scheme represents one of the largest grassroots-focused empowerment drives in the state ahead of the 2027 polls