Noble-Eagle Industries, a member of the Johnvents Group, has trained and empowered 50 women in Owo, Ondo State, through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, “Project Nourish Africa.”
The initiative, which began in 2023, focuses on equipping women in underserved communities with practical vocational and entrepreneurial skills that drive economic independence and support the growth of Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
Through a series of interactive workshops under the Noble-Eagle Women’s Skills Initiative, the participants were taught soap-making skills, including techniques for producing bath, laundry, and liquid soaps. The training also covered chemical handling, safety procedures, and the science behind soap production, ensuring participants understand both the technical and safety aspects of the craft.
Beyond production skills, the women were trained in core business competencies such as business management, SME development strategies, branding, packaging, and how to become market-ready. These skills are intended to prepare the participants not only to launch their businesses but also to sustain and grow them competitively within the market.
Speaking during the training, Managing Director of Noble-Eagle Industries, Ademola Atolagbe, emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting women in rural and underserved communities through skills development.
“As part of Project Nourish Africa, the programme equips women with hands-on skills, business knowledge, and market readiness to contribute to Nigeria’s MSME sector,” Atolagbe stated. “Our goal is to empower women in remote areas to become entrepreneurs, driving growth in Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises sector.”
He noted that the initiative is designed not just to provide vocational training, but to serve as a foundation for long-term socio-economic development by enabling women to achieve financial independence and create sustainable businesses.
“Since the inception of Project Nourish Africa, Noble-Eagle has remained focused on investing in communities, empowering individuals, and fostering economic opportunities that lead to lasting change,” Atolagbe added. “We have started with 50 women and are committed to expanding this initiative in the future to reach even more women across Nigeria.”
At the close of the training, each participant was provided with essential tools and resources to kick-start their soap-making businesses immediately, ensuring the sustainability of the skills they acquired.
“The Noble-Eagle Women’s Skills Initiative is laying the foundation for a more inclusive economy by providing women with the resources they need to thrive as entrepreneurs, thus contributing to the growth and diversification of Nigeria’s MSME sector,” Atolagbe concluded.
Although this initiative is currently localized in Nigeria, it aligns with broader efforts across Africa to support women entrepreneurs and scale up MSME development as key drivers of inclusive economic transformation. MSME stakeholders across the continent can draw inspiration from Noble-Eagle’s approach to integrating skills development with entrepreneurship and impact-driven community investment.
