By Onoja Integrity
The Idris HK Foundation has awarded a total of N1.75 million in business grants to five beneficiaries as part of efforts to strengthen small businesses, promote entrepreneurship and support economic empowerment among Nigerians.
Each of the five beneficiaries received N350,000 as seed capital to support and expand their respective businesses.
The beneficiaries are Isah Johnson Samson; Hauwakulu Abubakar of Jidah Spicy Kilish (JSK); Ammazubby General Enterprise; Ochonia Jessica; and Leera’h’s Touch.
Announcing the beneficiaries on Thursday, Chairman of the Idris HK Foundation, Idris Hussein Kashim, popularly known as Idris HK, urged the recipients to see the grants as an opportunity to build sustainable enterprises rather than as free money.
He advised the beneficiaries to reinvest the funds judiciously, maintain proper financial records and continuously improve their products and services.
“Use it wisely, reinvest where necessary, keep proper records, improve your products and services, build businesses that can create opportunities for others,” Idris said.
According to him, the objective of the intervention is not merely to provide financial assistance but to encourage the beneficiaries to build viable businesses capable of creating opportunities and supporting other people.
Foundation to Showcase Beneficiaries
The foundation also announced plans to unveil the beneficiaries individually and showcase their businesses, products and services to the public.
The initiative is expected to increase visibility for the businesses, attract patronage and create additional opportunities for the entrepreneurs.
Encouraging Nigerians to support one another, Idris said: “One car cannot do convoy. Let’s genuinely push each other up.”
Idris HK Foundation Expands Empowerment Initiatives
The latest intervention adds to a growing list of philanthropic activities associated with Idris HK, a Kogi-born businessman and Chairman of the Idris HK Foundation.
Recent reports have linked the foundation to interventions in education, electricity, water supply and community infrastructure across Kogi State.
In April 2026, reports indicated that the foundation was implementing a scholarship programme worth more than N7 million for 50 students of Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, with payments structured to support the beneficiaries throughout their academic programmes.
The foundation has also undertaken electricity-related interventions, including electrification efforts in Ankpa Local Government Area, the donation of a 300KVA transformer to Ofakaga community in Ofu Local Government Area, as well as initiatives aimed at restoring electricity to communities in Kogi East.
In December 2025, the foundation was also reported to have commissioned 11 projects across Idah and Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Areas, including boreholes, electricity infrastructure and solar installations.
Philanthropy and Political Ambition
The latest business grant comes amid the growing public profile of Idris HK beyond his philanthropic activities.
In May 2026, he reportedly obtained the Social Democratic Party’s nomination and expression-of-interest forms to contest the Kogi East Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections.
His growing political involvement has attracted both support and criticism, with supporters highlighting his community interventions, while political opponents have questioned aspects of his political trajectory.
Against this backdrop, the N1.75 million business grant represents another effort by the Idris HK Foundation to move its intervention beyond immediate relief towards enterprise development, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
The beneficiaries are expected to deploy the funds strategically to strengthen their businesses, increase productivity and, ultimately, create economic opportunities for others.