The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to empower 110,000 women across the state’s 31 Local Government Areas (LGAs) through cooperative societies as part of efforts to strengthen women’s economic participation and improve household livelihoods.
Governor Umo Eno made the announcement during the launch of the Federal Government’s rural women empowerment initiative and the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in Uyo, the state capital.
The empowerment programme is expected to begin in October 2026, with at least 300 women selected from each ward across the state.
According to the governor, the initiative forms part of his administration’s broader efforts to improve the economic wellbeing of women and vulnerable households under the ARISE Agenda.
Women’s empowerment to drive local economic growth
Eno said empowering women could generate wider benefits for families, communities and local economies, describing women’s economic empowerment as an important component of social welfare.
“We are particularly pleased that this programme prioritises women, youths and vulnerable households. Empowering women creates a multiplier effect that strengthens families, communities and local economies,” Eno said.
He explained that the state’s programme would be implemented through cooperative societies, giving women an organised platform to access economic opportunities, strengthen existing businesses and develop new income-generating activities.
The initiative is expected to benefit women involved in agriculture, food processing, petty trading, retail, fashion, services and other small-scale businesses.
Programme to complement Federal Government initiatives
The governor said the state’s planned intervention would complement existing Federal Government programmes, particularly the Renewed Hope Initiative, which provides financial support to women to establish, expand and sustain their businesses.
He said collaboration between the state and Federal Government would help expand the reach of empowerment initiatives and ensure that more women, particularly those in rural communities, gain access to economic support.
Eno also commended the Federal Government for extending its rural women empowerment and LPG distribution programme to Akwa Ibom.
27,000 households targeted for LPG support
Under the LPG distribution initiative, 27,000 households in Akwa Ibom are expected to receive cooking gas cylinders.
The governor said the programme would provide immediate support to beneficiary households while contributing to environmental protection and broader economic objectives.
“This programme goes beyond the distribution of gas cylinders. It is about improving lives, protecting our environment and delivering economic opportunities directly to 27,000 households,” he said.
The initiative is expected to reduce households’ reliance on traditional cooking fuels while improving access to cleaner and safer cooking options.
For low-income households, where access to affordable cooking energy remains a challenge, the intervention could help reduce household pressures while supporting improved living conditions.
Cooperatives to connect women to opportunities
By using cooperative societies as the channel for the 110,000-woman empowerment programme, the state government also aims to encourage women to participate in organised economic activities and develop stronger networks for accessing resources, markets and business opportunities.
The programme could provide women-led businesses with opportunities to strengthen their operations, increase incomes and contribute more significantly to their communities.
The initiative comes amid increasing recognition of women-led enterprises as important contributors to household income, employment and grassroots economic development.
For Akwa Ibom, the planned empowerment programme, combined with the Federal Government’s women-focused interventions and LPG distribution initiative, is expected to provide additional support for women and vulnerable households across the state.
The state government is expected to work with cooperative societies and community structures to identify and mobilise beneficiaries ahead of the October 2026 rollout.
With 110,000 women targeted across all 31 LGAs, the programme represents a significant expansion of the state’s grassroots economic empowerment efforts and reinforces the government’s commitment to increasing women’s participation in local economic activities.
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