ABIODUN JIMOH
In the bustling Ile Epo market, after Iyana Ipaja and before Abule Egba, Iya Ibeji’s store stands out as a beacon of hope and resilience.
As a trader and breadwinner of her family, Iya Ibeji has turned her fortunes around by selling Nestle products, including Golden Morn, Milo, and Maggi Star etc.
Despite her husband’s job loss, she has managed to provide for her family and even expand her business to two shops, with her daughter helping to manage one of them.
Iya Ibeji’s story is a testament to the empowering impact of Nestle’s initiatives on rural women in Nigeria.
With the company’s support, she has been able to access grants, training, and mentorship programs that have enabled her to scale up her business and increase her household income.
As she enthusiastically shares her experiences, it is clear that Nestle’s intervention has been a game-changer for her and many other women like her.
In fact, Nestle Nigeria has just announced the expansion of its “Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria” project, which aims to reach 300 women across the country.
An additional 50 women are set to benefit from the second phase of the program, which provides grants valued at 300% of their monthly sales in form of Nestle products.
They will also participate in training and mentorship programs designed to help them grow their businesses and increase their household incomes.
According to Mr. Khaled Ramadan, Nestle Nigeria’s Commercial Manager, “We are happy to fulfill our promise of expanding Nestle Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria to reach more women in other parts of Nigeria. We are pleased with the progress made by the first 50 beneficiaries who currently enjoy the training and mentorship provided by Nestle and her implementation partners – Straplan Advisory Ltd.
They are reporting faster turnover and increased revenue as well as stronger visibility of their outlets within their locations.”
As Iya Ibeji’s story and the expansion of Nestle’s program demonstrate, empowering women is not only a moral imperative but also a sound business strategy. By supporting women entrepreneurs, Nestle is helping to create a more inclusive and sustainable economy that benefits everyone.
As the company continues to invest in women’s empowerment initiatives, it is clear that its impact will be felt for generations to come.