The Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, a member of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company group, has awarded a total of N2 million in grants to two female entrepreneurs in recognition of their creativity and impact potential.
The grants were presented at the just-concluded annual conference of Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ), themed Own. Walk. Nurture., held in Lagos.
The recipients, Toyibah Shehu Mohammed of FarhM’s Food and Sauce Global Limited and Helen Gabriel of Ogy’s Cakes, each received N1 million after emerging as winners from the WIMBIZ Entrepreneurship Masterclass. Both women were celebrated for their innovation, resilience, and capacity to create economic value through their enterprises.
Presenting the grants, NBC’s Director of People and Culture, Jolomi Fawehinmi, reaffirmed the company’s belief in the transformative power of female-led businesses.
“At NBC, we believe that women-led businesses contribute immensely to the economy, and when that happens, communities also thrive,” Fawehinmi said. “To every woman who participated in the Entrepreneurship Masterclass, you have already demonstrated your commitment to growth, excellence, and impact.”
NBC said its partnership with WIMBIZ for the conference reflects its broader commitment to promoting women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and inclusion across Nigeria’s business landscape.
During a panel session titled Leading from the Inside Out: Balancing Ambition, Vulnerability & Purpose, NBC’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Oluwasoromidayo George, joined other women leaders to discuss purposeful leadership and personal growth in today’s corporate environment.
Drawing from her experience in corporate leadership and sustainability, George emphasized the importance of authenticity, emotional intelligence, and vulnerability as essential traits for women in leadership.
“When we talk about vulnerability, I would equate it to being open and confident at work; it draws connection and trust, especially when you engage with people of power and influence. Be authentic, stay true to yourself, and align your values wherever you find yourself,” she said. “Be kind to yourself and to others. As a woman, you have to show up, and you have to show up good.”
For women-led SMEs, initiatives like this highlight the growing recognition of female entrepreneurship as a vital force for economic inclusion and community development. NBC’s continued support reinforces the importance of empowering women to scale their businesses and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth.
