By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
The Federal Government says more than one million Nigerians have already benefited from its loan and grant programmes under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as part of efforts to channel savings from petrol subsidy removal into critical national development.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Progressive Governors’ Forum Conference in Minna.
He described the Renewed Hope initiatives as more than just figures, but life-changing interventions for individuals, families, and communities.
According to the Minister, over 900,000 small businesses have received support through the Presidential Conditional Grant and Loan Scheme.
In addition, the Student Loan Scheme is already benefiting more than 350,000 students, with over 600,000 applications submitted and ₦70 billion committed to the initiative.
Another ₦75 billion is being disbursed through the Bank of Industry to boost Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in key sectors.
Idris defended the fuel subsidy removal, calling it a difficult but necessary step that has curtailed waste and redirected resources to impactful infrastructure projects.
These include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Railway, and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway.
He noted that the reallocation of funds is also reflected in increased federal allocations to states, giving them the capacity to launch people-centered development projects.
The Minister urged state Information Commissioners to move beyond rhetoric and actively engage communities to ensure citizens are informed and able to benefit from government reforms.
He emphasized that real development happens when policies are felt at the grassroots.
With these strides, the Tinubu administration says it is determined to turn its promises into real, visible improvements in the lives of Nigerians, bringing renewed hope to every corner of the country.
