The process relies on group solidarity and social network system. The loan repayment is also made flexible in a weekly meeting where nutritional, reproductive, child protection issues are discussed. The project is supporting more than 650 beneficiaries in Ogun and the FCT. Financial Inclusion and Empowerment (FINER) is a project of Initiative for Education and Development (IDEE) with the aim of lifting the most vulnerable people out of poverty. The project encourages women groups to form groups and start discussion issues that affect them in their community. A facilitator is assigned to them for training and mentoring purposes. The group facilitator provides technical training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business skills development and then advances a business loan to the group members in tranches. The process relies on group solidarity and social network system. The loan repayment is also made flexible in a weekly meeting where nutritional, reproductive, child protection issues are discussed. The project is supporting more than 650 beneficiaries in Ogun and the FCT. Mrs Esther John joined FINER on 14th February 2019 and was elected by her group members as the leader of the group Great Heights. She is a food vendor that usually buys foodstuffs in small quantity (mudu) due to inadequate fund but after the financial literacy and entrepreneurship she began to see the need to expand her business. She began to use different marketing strategies and apply the business intelligence she gained from the series of trainings she got from IDEE-FINER. She took her loan, increased her stock and started buying in large quantity (bag). This process is empowering for Mrs John which has resulted in her making much profit and led to the growth and expansion of her business and she takes better care of her family now. "The money really helped me because I no longer buy in mudu, I buy in bags and I know how to attract more customers. In fact now I know how to manage my money from the trainings I got from IDEE. The money has been a help to my business and family".

FINER BENEFICIARIES CASE STUDY
Mrs Rachael Taiwo, a fashion designer is a member of FINER and the leader of Precious group. She is in her second cycle and was given the sum of one hundred thousand (100,000) naira which she used to expand her business by adding tailoring materials. So now she is not only sewing but also selling tailoring materials which is an additional means of income for her. When I joined the IDEE-FINER, we were given training on how to solve problems, manage our money and make people continue to buy from us. In one of the training, the facilitator told us about market survey, diversification and side hustle. How we can have different businesses in the same shop with one business helping the other. I put this training in my right hand and went to think more about it at home. I started telling my customers that I will soon start selling tailoring materials. When I collected the sum of One hundred thousand naira, I used part of it to buy tailoring materials needed in my area to add it to my business. Now I know all the tailoring materials required in my area and more people are coming to but from me. I want to open my own facebook page so that more people can know more about my business. I am happy that I am making more profit to take care of myself and family members.

My name is Mrs. Ogunsipe Dorcas I am Action group leader, I am into selling of baby things. I want to thank God that brought IDEE to this Tudun Wada to help people like me that are into small business. Since I have collected money from IDEE, I have never regret that I collected the money and also never regret of becoming the leader. "The money has helped me to increase my business both the first and the second loan. When I collected the first money there was little goods in my shop, immediately I collected the money I was able to boost my business." More so, the money has been so easy to payback both for me and the other members. I am so happy and I pray the IDEE will grow from strength to strength.

My name is Adegbola Deborah. I live in Tudun Wada, my shop is at Okada Park. I started collecting money from IDEE since 2018 and at that time things were not that going well especially in my business which also affected my well being and family. The leader of the group introduced IDEE to me and I decided to join. "Ever since I have joined, my business has been moving as I want and wish, I was able to put food on my table and provide motherly support at home. It is an advantage to me; the manner of repayment is very convenient and very helpful. I want to appreciate IDEE for all their efforts."