Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has greenlit the sum of ₦230.62 million dedicated to acquiring shares for 43,928 vulnerable women spread across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to Mamman Mohammed, Director-General Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, the development followed high-level engagements initiated by the state government, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mohammed Goje, exploring opportunities for private-sector partnerships to support vulnerable women and conflict-affected households in Yobe State, at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States of America.
Dr. Goje on behalf of the state government, had at the UNGA discussions solicited for partnership with the Aliko Dangote Foundation to provide 43,928 vulnerable women across the 17 Local Government Areas of Yobe State with an opportunity to become shareholders in Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.
The initiative centered on a shift in women’s economic empowerment to move beyond conventional financial assistance to financial inclusion, investment participation and long-term asset ownership.
Under the arrangement, Yobe State government would sponsor the subscription of 10 shares for each of the 43,928 eligible women totaling ₦230.62 million, while the Aliko Dangote Foundation would provide an equivalent matching grant to translate in an investment opportunity valued at approximately ₦461.24 million, subject to the applicable IPO conditions and successful allotment.
Each of the 43,928 participating women would have 20 shares in her own name, with the shares credited to her individual Central Securities Clearing System account, promoting personal asset ownership and financial independence.
The initiative prioritises women from internally displaced households, widows with multiple dependents, women with disabilities, and those living in extreme poverty.
The development further highlights the growing importance of strategic international engagement in attracting practical investment opportunities to Yobe State.
“What began as a high-level conversation during UNGA 2026 has progressed into a formal partnership proposal with the potential to directly benefit tens of thousands of women across the State.
“The initiative is also consistent with Governor Buni’s broader development agenda of promoting inclusive growth, supporting vulnerable households, strengthening economic resilience and creating opportunities for communities recovering from the effects of insurgency.
“Beyond its financial value, this initiative reflects a significant policy direction: empowering vulnerable women not merely as recipients of assistance, but as potential owners of productive financial assets,” Goje said.
What You Should Know
Yobe State has launched a transformative women’s economic empowerment initiative that moves away from traditional cash handouts and shifts directly toward sustainable financial inclusion and asset ownership. Through a strategic partnership resulting from discussions at the United Nations General Assembly, the state government is joining forces with the Aliko Dangote Foundation to provide vulnerable women with actual corporate shares.
Under this arrangement, the Yobe State government is funding 10 shares for each of the 43,928 eligible beneficiaries, while the Aliko Dangote Foundation provides a matching grant to double the investment value to 20 shares per woman in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.
- Positive Impact: Displaced women, widows, and individuals living with disabilities stand to gain long-term financial security, dividends, and direct inclusion in major industrial wealth ownership.
- Potential Concerns: The actual long-term success and financial returns for these beneficiaries will depend heavily on the operational performance and IPO allotment conditions of the Dangote Refinery.
