Nestlé Nigeria has extended its flagship initiative, Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria, to Agbara, Ogun State, welcoming 49 new female entrepreneurs into the programme. The scheme, now in its fifth year, is aimed at strengthening small-scale businesses in rural areas and improving the livelihoods of women across the country.
Since the programme began in 2021, it has supported over 431 women nationwide, offering them business training, product grants, and dedicated mentorship to grow their retail ventures. Many participants have reported remarkable progress, with some recording business growth of up to 300 per cent within just three months of joining.
At the launch event in Agbara, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka, explained that the initiative was designed to create genuine opportunities for rural women to scale their operations. She noted that the long-term goal is to foster inclusive economic growth that benefits both households and communities.
“Supporting rural women to scale their retail operations is not only beneficial for business but also essential for fostering a more inclusive economy, stronger families, and resilient communities,” Uwadoka said.
Also speaking, Nestlé Nigeria’s Commercial Manager, Boladale Odunlami, highlighted the positive impact the programme has already achieved. “Since 2021, over 380 women have benefited, with more than 85 per cent reporting business growth. Each new participant receives product grants worth N200,000, nominated by their communities. We’re confident the Agbara group will continue this success,” Odunlami said.
The Agbara beneficiaries have each received a product grant valued at N200,000, along with training in entrepreneurship, bookkeeping, merchandising, and customer service. Beyond the initial training, they will also receive three months of personalised mentorship to guide them in implementing the skills learned and in managing their retail operations more effectively.
The programme has been warmly welcomed by the Agbara community, with local leaders urging the women to take full advantage of the support provided. Community endorsement plays a key role in the selection process, ensuring that those chosen are well-positioned to make the most of the opportunity and to inspire other women in their locality.
Nestlé’s Empowering Rural Women initiative has been recognised as a model for corporate-led economic empowerment in Nigeria, combining financial support with skills development and market access. By focusing on women in rural areas, the programme addresses both gender and economic inequalities, enabling women to become active contributors to their families’ income and to their communities’ economic activities.
The company says it remains committed to expanding the initiative to more states in the coming years, in line with its goal of contributing to sustainable economic development and inclusive growth in Nigeria. With the addition of the Agbara group, the reach and impact of the programme continue to grow, building a network of empowered women entrepreneurs who can drive change from the grassroots.
