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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has defended her decision to publicly distribute millions of naira in cash grants to constituents during an empowerment program in Kogi Central, explaining that the direct financial aid was driven by beneficiaries’ explicit preferences for cash over physical equipment.
The clarification was issued in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja through her media aide, Mike Idoko.
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District faced public scrutiny online after video footage and images showing the cash distribution at her third-anniversary event in the 10th National Assembly went viral across social media platforms.
Online critics raised concerns over the public display of large sums of physical cash, questioning whether direct monetary handouts offer a sustainable approach to long-term poverty alleviation and effective constituency representation.
However, addressing attendees prior to handing out the funds, Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that past empowerment drives demonstrated that many recipients ultimately preferred working capital to address urgent trade obligations.
“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,” Akpoti-Uduaghan explained.
“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 emphasized that small-scale business owners operate under diverse financial demands, making direct cash grants a more flexible solution for challenges such as purchasing raw production materials, settling rent, or expanding inventory.
Reflecting on her tenure in her anniversary statement, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed her dedication to boosting grass-root commerce across Kogi Central.
“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,” she stated.
“Thus, I’m grateful to God and honoured to support local businesses with the financial assistance they need to grow,” the lawmaker added.
The empowerment ceremony, held on November 2, 2026, targeted micro-entrepreneurs across various sectors including agriculture, fashion, digital content creation, and light manufacturing.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries received support ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦5 million based on assessed business requirements, with larger allocations of ₦2 million, ₦3 million, ₦4 million, and ₦5 million disbursed via direct bank transfers.
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