The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has defended her decision to distribute millions of naira in cash to constituents, saying the beneficiaries preferred financial assistance to business equipment.
The lawmaker explained that her decision followed experiences from previous empowerment programmes, where some recipients reportedly sold the equipment provided to them to meet other financial needs.
Her position was contained in a statement issued by her media aide, Mike Idoko, in Abuja.
The cash distribution, which formed part of activities marking her third anniversary in the 10th National Assembly, attracted criticism on social media after videos and photographs of the exercise emerged.
Some critics questioned the public display of large sums of money and the effectiveness of cash handouts as a strategy for sustainable economic empowerment.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that direct financial support would better address the immediate needs of beneficiaries, including business expansion, purchasing goods and securing production materials.
She said, “I have given out sewing machines to many, and at the end of the day, I realised they sold them to either boost their businesses or pay rent.
“So I have decided to give cash to those who requested support to start a business or add more stock. There are also those who will get ₦5m through transfer.”
The senator said the intervention was designed to support entrepreneurs across different sectors and strengthen small businesses in the senatorial district.
In her anniversary message, she expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve, describing the grants as part of her efforts to improve economic opportunities for residents.
She stated, “We rounded off our third anniversary in office by supporting small businesses across Kogi Central with cash grants.
“From farmers and tailors to content creators and small-scale manufacturers, these entrepreneurs are building livelihoods and strengthening our local economy.”
The empowerment programme, held on November 2, 2026, covered beneficiaries in agriculture, tailoring, content creation and small-scale manufacturing, among other businesses.
The grants reportedly ranged from ₦100,000 to ₦5m, with some beneficiaries receiving ₦2m, ₦3m and ₦4m, while others received up to ₦5m through bank transfers.
