Nestlé Nigeria Plc has expanded its women empowerment initiative, Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria, to Agbara in Ogun State, deepening its commitment to inclusive community development and economic empowerment. The programme, which equips women in rural communities with business skills, product grants, and mentorship, welcomed 49 new female retailers in its latest rollout.
Now in its fifth year, the initiative has empowered 431 women across various regions in Nigeria, enabling many to scale their retail businesses by as much as 300 percent within a few months. Launched in 2021, the programme is tailored to strengthen small-scale retailers, especially those operating in underserved communities, by offering them tools to grow their businesses and enhance their livelihoods.
Speaking on the impact of the programme, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka, stated that the initiative is designed to unlock real economic opportunities for women. “We are seeing firsthand the transformation that structured training, mentorship, and business grants can bring,” she said. “This expansion into Agbara is another step in building more resilient communities through empowered women.”
According to Boladale Odunlami, Nestlé Nigeria’s Commercial Manager, more than 85 percent of the women who have passed through the programme have reported sustained business growth. In this Agbara edition, participants were nominated by their communities and will each receive a product grant worth N200,000 to boost their retail operations.
The community’s traditional leader, His Royal Highness Oba Lukman Agunbiade, praised the programme and urged the women to maximise the opportunity. He also reaffirmed Agbara’s longstanding partnership with Nestlé and its commitment to the success of the initiative. “This project has the potential to not only change the lives of these women but to uplift entire households and the wider community,” he said.
One of the new participants, Eniola Fausat, expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm. “This opportunity has opened my eyes to what is possible in my business. With the training and support, I am more confident that I can improve my shop and better support my family,” she said.
As Nestlé Nigeria continues to grow its footprint in rural empowerment, the company says it remains focused on fostering sustainable, inclusive development across all segments of its value chain.
