In a continued effort to create positive social impact, Unilever Nigeria has empowered over 13,000 women across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through its Shakti initiative. The program, implemented in partnership with the Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF), equips women with the tools, training, and mentorship they need to become independent entrepreneurs, selling Unilever products to support their families and communities.
Tobi Adeniyi, Customer Development Director at Unilever Nigeria, highlighted the success of the initiative: “Since the inception of the Shakti initiative in 2014, we’ve seen significant improvements in the lives of these women. Some began with as little as N20,000 worth of products and have grown their businesses to hundreds of thousands, even millions.”
He added, “This initiative showcases the power of purpose and belief in women’s potential to make a socioeconomic impact. Unilever remains committed to expanding the Shakti initiative year after year.”
Success Story: Alhaja Gbemisola Sherifat Ogunremi
One notable success story from the Shakti initiative is **Alhaja Gbemisola Sherifat Ogunremi**, a former hairdresser from Ibadan, Oyo State. Starting with just ₦20,000 worth of Unilever products, Ogunremi used the training provided to manage her sales, keep records, and reinvest profits into her business. Today, she is a thriving retailer in her community.
“Shakti has made my dream come true. I have been able to support my family, and my husband is proud of me. The profits I make cover household expenses without affecting my business,” said Ogunremi, who has also fulfilled a lifelong dream of going on a hajj pilgrimage. Now, she helps empower other women by involving them in a thrift system to start their own businesses.
Ogunremi’s goal is to expand her business further and become a sub-distributor for Unilever Nigeria.
Mentorship and Support
The success of the Shakti initiative is also attributed to dedicated field agents like Aminat Bakare, who manages 100 Shakti women. Bakare provides hands-on guidance, coaching the women on sales recording, product placement, and customer engagement. Her passion for the women’s growth is evident, and her goal is to see them become leading distributors in the Unilever ecosystem.
Commitment to Socioeconomic Development
Beyond Shakti, Unilever Nigeria continues to invest in socioeconomic development through other initiatives, such as the Future X Campus Ambassadors Programme (FUCAP), in partnership with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited (GenU). FUCAP aims to equip young people in higher institutions with future-ready skills.
Additionally, Unilever is actively contributing to environmental sustainability through its plastic initiative with Wecyclers, working to remove more plastic from the environment than it produces.
With over 100 years of operation in Nigeria, Unilever remains committed to the country’s economic and social progress through impactful initiatives and sustainable business practices.
