By Elvis Eromosele
Recently, on a bright morning in Agbara, Ogun State, 49 women gathered with hopeful eyes and determined hearts. They were participating in more than just another ritual; they were stepping into a future of transformation for themselves, their families, and their community. The women were the latest beneficiaries of Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria, a project that has worked quietly but profoundly behind the scenes to change lives across the country.
In its fifth year, the program has impacted over 430 women, providing them with something more than just a grant. Indeed, it has given them tools, training, and confidence to think bigger. For some, it has been taking a tiny kiosk and turning it into a thriving retail store. For others, it has allowed them to send their children to school without fear, and to finally see themselves as owners of businesses with a voice and a vision.
At the heart of Nestlé Nigeria’s cause is a simple conviction: empowered women strengthen communities. The business, with its heritage in the Agbara community, where it has been doing business for over four decades, has chosen to invest in women at the community level. It is a simple model with a powerful impact. Women entrepreneurs are trained in the business in key areas such as bookkeeping, merchandising, and customer care. They are also guided for three months and, most importantly, given product grants of as much as N200,000 to help them expand their businesses.
Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria’s Lead for Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability, put it best herself: “Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria is about creating genuine opportunities for women. Supporting rural women to scale their retail operations by up to 300 per cent within just three months is not only beneficial for business but also essential for fostering a more inclusive economy, stronger families, and resilient communities.”
For Mrs. Eniola Fausat, a trainee from Agbara, the initiative has been a revelation. “This experience has opened my eyes to what is possible in my business,” she declared with enthusiasm. With the training and support, I am now more confident that I can improve my shop and better support my family. I thank Nestlé and Alagbara for believing in us.”
These endorsements underscore the reality that the impact of the work far outweighs business metrics. Women who once had to struggle with a lack of confidence in themselves are now voicing themselves. Mothers who once worried about seating their tables are now planning ways to expand their shops, employ others, and contribute to communities.
Boladale Odunlami, Commercial Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, underlined this domino effect: “From the start, over 85 per cent of the women have achieved steady business development. These women are not only improving their turnover and revenue, but also their visibility in their communities. That is the real test of success.”
The Agbara traditional leadership provides validity to the project. On behalf of the Alagbara of Agbara, Olori Adeola Agunbiade appreciated Nestlé’s commitment to community: “We are happy to see the women we have chosen with utmost care benefit from this program. This is what true partnership between businesses and communities should be.”
Her words resonated with a wider truth; empowerment initiatives thrive if they are not legislated but shared and co-owned by the communities they influence. Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria is a testament to the firm’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) philosophy, business success and community development supporting one another. Rolled out to nine locations in Nigeria since its launch in 2021, each phase has been carefully planned to address rural women’s unique needs. The product support, training, and mentorship are not giveaways but stepping stones to long-term growth.
In a country where women are likely to be the linchpin of household economies yet are marginalised in access to resources, the efforts are nothing short of revolutionary.
The best part is how Nestlé’s Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria initiative aligns seamlessly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting the company’s commitment to creating shared value for society.
By providing product grants and training, it helps increase women’s incomes, lifting families out of poverty and reducing economic vulnerability, in line with SDG 1: No Poverty. Through its focus on empowering women to lead and grow their businesses, the initiative advances SDG 5: Gender Equality, enabling women to achieve greater financial independence and influence within their communities. In addition, equipping women with the skills and resources needed to run profitable enterprises drives SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, promoting sustainable businesses, creating jobs, and strengthening local economies. And the program contributes to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by reaching underserved rural communities, addressing disparities in access to opportunities, and ensuring that women in these areas have the chance to thrive.
Through these efforts, Nestlé is not only transforming individual lives but also contributing to a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria. For the 49 women of Agbara, it is just beginning. With determination in their eyes and support behind them, they are prepared to transform their tiny shops into thriving businesses. And by doing this, they are not merely changing their own lives but contributing to a broader narrative of progress, a narrative that sees women as forces for change, acknowledged, empowered, and uplifted.
As Nestlé rolls this initiative out across Nigeria, one thing is certain: empowerment is not a slogan. It is action, it is investment, and most of all, it is belief that when rural women thrive, entire communities thrive with them. Nestlé Nigeria is truly building stronger communities with its women empowerment initiative.
Elvis Eromosele, a corporate communications professional and sustainability advocate, wrote via elviseroms@gmail.com.
