FG Lunches RHGEEP 3.0: To Empower Farmers and Drive Sustainable Poverty Reduction – See How to Apply

February 12, 2026

FG Lunches RHGEEP 3.0 : Flags-Off Farmermonie Dry/Wet Season Programme To Deepen Financial Inclusion, Empower Farmers And Drive Sustainable Poverty Reduction;

The Federal Government has launched the Renewed Hope Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (RHGEEP 3.0) and flagged-off the FarmerMonie Dry and Wet Season Programme, in a decisive move to expand economic opportunities, strengthen food security, and accelerate poverty reduction across Nigeria.

The programmes were unveiled in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, through the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Declaring the programmes open, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, said the event represents more than the launch of two initiatives, describing it as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s determination to translate policy commitments into tangible actions that improve lives and restore dignity.

He explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu is anchored on inclusion, resilience, and shared prosperity, noting that RHGEEP 3.0 is a practical expression of this vision. According to the Minister, the programme is designed to expand access to affordable finance for micro and small-scale entrepreneurs, artisans, traders, and informal sector operators, thereby enabling enterprise growth, job creation, and income stability.

Dr. Doro stated that RHGEEP 3.0 is fundamentally about financial inclusion, stressing that millions of Nigerians who have remained outside the formal financial system must be deliberately brought into the economic mainstream if national development is to be truly inclusive. He added that when small businesses are empowered, local economies are strengthened and communities become more resilient.

On the FarmerMonie Dry and Wet Season Programme, the Minister described agriculture as a strategic pillar of national stability and economic transformation. He said the programme is targeted at supporting farmers throughout both planting seasons in order to address seasonal vulnerabilities, improve yields, and contribute directly to national food security.

The Minister further noted that poverty reduction can only be achieved through empowerment rather than dependency, emphasizing that humanitarian service must go beyond emergency relief to focus on creating lasting opportunities for self-reliance and economic security.

He commended NSIPA for its dedication and professionalism in designing and implementing the initiatives and called on financial institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, community leaders, and the private sector to work closely with government to ensure effective delivery and measurable impact.

In her goodwill message, the Wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, applauded the Federal Government for prioritising grassroots empowerment and women-centred interventions, noting that economic empowerment at the household level translates into stronger and more stable communities.

Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs described the initiatives as timely and impactful, stressing that women dominate Nigeria’s micro-business and agricultural value chains and will significantly benefit from improved access to finance and enterprise support.

The National Coordinator of NSIPA assured stakeholders that the Agency has strengthened its targeting, monitoring, and delivery systems to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective nationwide coverage.

Providing technical details, the National Programme Manager of RHGEEP, Mr. Hamza Baba, explained that RHGEEP 3.0 will provide accessible enterprise financing to micro and small businesses, while FarmerMonie will deliver interest-free, collateral-free loans to eligible smallholder farmers, using clear eligibility criteria and technology-enabled processes.

Highlights of the event included the symbolic issuance of cheques to selected beneficiaries as well as the unveiling of the official registration portal for prospective applicants.

Those present at the event included the Wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas; the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs; the Honourable Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Heads of Agencies; the National Coordinator of NSIPA; senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; representatives of development partners and partnering banks; leaders of farmers’ associations and cooperative societies; and other key stakeholders.