The First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has stepped up her empowerment drive.

She gave forty-seven students N47 million and 47  laptops on the platform of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

At the event held at the State House in Abuja, she assured dignitaries present that the programme would not stop.

Those at the event included the wife of the Vice President and the National Vice Chairman of RHI, Hajia Nana Shettima; the wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila; the wife of the Kwara State governor, who is also the chairperson of the governors’ wives forum, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq; and others.

According to ‘The Nation’, the students are at various academic levels — five in 400 Level, 39 in 300 Level, two in 200 Level, and one in National Diploma (ND) II — and are enrolled in disciplines ranging from Medicine, Law, and Engineering to Education, Sciences, and the Humanities.

She said:  “This is a scheme that we have to continue. This is not about politics; it is about people’s lives. Just like in the past when I gave out scholarships, I want to ask you: what do you also add to the table? You can grow and also look for extra things you can do that will not hinder your studies,” she told the beneficiaries.

The First Lady urged them to make the most of the opportunity and hinted at plans to sustain the programme.

“We have given you two years of grace, and some of you have two more years to complete your studies. We pray that the President will have a second term so that we continue,” she added.

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, lauded the RHI for complementing the government’s efforts.

He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration had expanded bursaries and scholarships nationwide.

“In the last two years, the President gave out 12,434 bursary awards amounting to about N10 billion to students in key sectors, including Medicine and Education. We have also awarded N4 billion worth of scholarships to 8,535 students,” he said.

The minister drew attention to the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has supported over 500,000 students with about N100 billion disbursed.

“You don’t pay back until after you graduate, complete the NYSC service, and secure a job. Even then, repayment is from only a maximum of 10 per cent of your salary,” he said.

She said the 2025 awardees followed earlier batches in 2023 and 2024, adding: “Today’s 47 beneficiaries each receive N1 million annually, plus a brand-new laptop. We wish you success in your academic session.”

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, described the scholarship as “a life-changing package provided by the First Lady,” emphasizing its importance in nurturing talent and bridging educational gaps nationwide.