Church-Based Financial Empowerment Programmes and Women’s Economic Independence in Adamawa State

This study evaluates the impact of church-based financial empowerment programmes on the economic independence of women in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria. Women in Adamawa face intersecting challenges of poverty, limited formal employment, and cultural restrictions on economic participation, and a number of churches in the state have responded with savings groups, skills training, and micro-enterprise support initiatives. Using a descriptive survey design, data are gathered from 150 women participants in financial empowerment programmes across ten churches in Yola, Mubi, and Numan. Questionnaires assess changes in income, savings behaviour, business activity, and household decision-making power, while interviews with programme coordinators provide implementation insights. Findings indicate that women who have participated in church financial empowerment programmes for more than twelve months demonstrate significant improvements in personal savings, income generation, and self-reported financial confidence. The integration of biblical principles of stewardship and industry into the programme content is associated with stronger participant motivation and longer programme retention. Challenges include irregular programme funding, facilitator dropout, and cultural resistance from male household members. The study recommends that churches in Adamawa State institutionalise women's economic empowerment as a standing ministry department and seek partnerships with microfinance institutions to scale programme impact. Keywords: women empowerment, church financial programmes, economic independence, Adamawa State, microfinance