Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has given support to the National Association of Ebira Students (NAES) across ten tertiary institutions in the country by providing them with multipurpose business carts.
The initiative is part of her ongoing efforts to foster self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and innovation among students, particularly those from Kogi Central, as they navigate their academic and professional journeys.
In addition to the business carts, Senator Natasha also flagged off a free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration for 2,500 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Kogi Central district. 
The move will enable students and business owners to formalize their enterprises without incurring the usual registration costs, ensuring that they are legally recognized and can access future grants and business loans.
The business carts distributed to NAES students are fully equipped to help them start small businesses.
The initiative did not only provide tools but also instilled in them the entrepreneurial skills needed to create sustainable income, reducing their reliance on government support and helping them contribute positively to society after graduation.
The initiative is designed to uplift underprivileged students by empowering them to run viable businesses.
During the launch event, Senator Natasha reiterated her commitment to driving sustainable development and economic growth. She highlighted the importance of understanding the business ecosystem and explained that business registration is a critical step for any legal enterprise to unlock its full potential. The lawmaker also announced that the 2,500 SMEs’ registration fees, which would have totaled N27.5 million, were fully covered by her office.
The CAC team, led by Mr. Bello Muftahu from the FCT Zonal Office, carried out the business registrations on the spot, presenting certificates to beneficiaries immediately. Mr. Muftahu praised Senator Natasha’s initiative, emphasizing how legal recognition will help business owners access both government and private funding.
Students from institutions including Kogi State Polytechnic, Kogi State University, Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, and others benefited from the program. The business kits provided to students include multipurpose carts equipped with solar panels, barbing tools, and clean cooking kiosks designed for various entrepreneurial ventures.
Senator Natasha also provided the students with startup capital and transportation stipends to help them get their businesses off the ground.
The empowerment initiative has again demonstrated Senator Natasha’s commitment to improving the economic prospects of her constituents, particularly students, by providing them with the tools and opportunities to become self-sufficient and successful entrepreneurs.
