In Agbara, Ogun State, 49 women are preparing to reshape their local economy after joining Nestlé Nigeria’s Empowering Rural Women programme — an initiative that’s been quietly turning small shops into thriving enterprises across Nigeria.
Backed by ₦200,000 in product grants, hands-on training, and months of one-on-one mentorship, these women are stepping into an opportunity that has already changed the fortunes of over 431 entrepreneurs nationwide. Past participants have seen profits jump by as much as 300% within three months, boosting household incomes and strengthening community resilience.
“This is about more than just business — it’s about inclusive growth and building stronger families,” said Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead.
For many in Agbara, the programme could mean the difference between merely surviving and sustainably growing their businesses. Community leaders have rallied behind the new entrepreneurs, urging them to follow in the footsteps of women from other regions who have expanded their customer base, improved their stock quality, and even created new jobs.
As these 49 women embark on their business transformation journey, they join a growing network proving that with the right tools, rural trade can be a powerful engine for economic change.
