The Federal Ministry of Works has proposed allocating more than N500 million in its 2026 budget for programs aimed at empowering women and youths across Nigeria. The initiatives include skill acquisition training, distribution of trade equipment, and anti-drug abuse awareness campaigns.
Details from the 2026 Appropriation Bill, recently uploaded on the Budget Office’s website, reveal that these initiatives will span several states and geopolitical zones.
Under budget item ERGP 12234747, N35 million is earmarked to provide grinding machines to women in Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency, located in the South-South zone. Another N35 million will fund training in hairdressing, make-up, and soap production for women in Mikang/Shandam/Qua’an Pan Federal Constituency, Plateau State, in the North-Central zone.
The ministry also plans to spend N70 million on skill acquisition and trade equipment for youths, women, and seven retirees in Inyamaltu/Deba, Gombe State, North-East, as well as N70 million on mini vans, shuttle buses, and motorcycles for residents of Abakaliki Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, South-East.
Additionally, initiatives targeting youth sensitisation, advocacy, and anti-drug campaigns are planned in Zamfara State, North-West, among other constituency-specific projects outlined in the budget.
The proposed spending has already sparked debate, with critics questioning whether such empowerment initiatives fall within the mandate of the Ministry of Works.
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