According to a study by the Canadian Center for Science and Education in 2024, women in Nigeria face significant challenges, with over 60% of the poorest people being women. With the IMF estimating that Nigeria has over 87 million people in extreme poverty, this translates to approximately 52 million women struggling to make ends meet. However, despite these daunting statistics, women in Nigeria are also showing remarkable resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, with 41% of micro-businesses in Nigeria being owned by women.
Jael TirNom Micah, a young resilient Nigerian woman residing in Kaduna State
delved into the business of perfumes because “I got tired of relying on my parents for basic needs, so I decided to own something for myself.” Jacintha Chiwendu Christian, a bead maker and a sales person for her business was motivated by the need to afford necessities for herself and the desire for recognition including the need to be of value to herself, family and the society while she was in the university.
Julie Jotham, a fellow young Nigerian woman was motivated by another woman, her mother, to start a food and snacks business considering her talent. Hers was a case of turning passion and talent turned into a highway of financial freedom. Ogechi Christopher, a medical lab scientist, started selling shoes at her campus to her course mates in 2018 after seeing how much profit she could make from buying in Lagos and selling in Jos.
Beyond Passion and resilience
However, passion, resilience, advice, gender and an eye for business does not
chase away the several challenges the entrepreneur world in Nigeria has to face. Ogechi Christopher’s business took a hit when she received a shipment of expired shoes from a supplier. “It happened in 2023; I ordered goods worth a lot of money. I was in Jos then doing my internship and I had of course gone back to doing my business. It was an environment where doctors, nurses, medical lab scientists, everybody wore flat cover shoes so I started getting cover shoes monthly to sell to them. The business was going well until my supplier swindled me. I made this order one time with almost all of my money. to a supplier in Lagos and he sent me cartons of poorly made shoes.
I tried to reach back to return him, I tried to reach back to him but there was no way. I lost all of my money; I lost the shoes. They were not sellable. The few I sold were returned. I lost a lot customers as a result. I got depressed. I had stocks at home I couldn’t even sell. I had to stop the business for over a year before starting again.” she said.
Not only Ogechi has had to face challenges in her business, Jael TirNom Micah
faced challenges from her parents and men who expect her to be available for them because she is in business. “The first challenge I faced in my business was actually from my parents. They had an issue with me doing deliveries on my own Then, Men subtly hitting on me and expecting me to be cool with it because I’m in business.
To quote them, “Na you dey find money now”. In fact, recently, a guy indicated interest in my product, when I messaged him, he said he wanted me to bring it myself, he wanted us to talk first. Meanwhile this person resides in Abuja and I am in kaduna.” I’ve also heard many “And I planned on patronizing you o” from these kinds of people too”. Jacintha Chiwendu Christian’s challenge revolves around stress, theft and fashion trends.
“The beads’ making process is very tedious and tasking and worse, since it’s a jewelry business, people would always want to go for things that are trendy. You can have a customer order a product and after you have made the product, the customer said he does not want that product again. There are challenges with stolen goods. “I have also had several cases of stolen items,” she lamented.
Despite these we push
You cannot win in this environment if you are not consistent, patient, and persist. Although Julie Jotham has since closed down her food and snacks shop to face knitting squarely due to rising inflation. ” Today when you go to the market, a bag of rice is 50,000. The very next day, day, 100,000. Just an unnecessary and ridiculous price increase. The ridiculous rent price was the worst” she lamented. However, the business left her with lifelong
A common factor that helps.
“The Important lesson running a business has taught me is the power of consistency. If you are not consistent enough, there is no result that will show for you. I am sorry, there is nothing for you. Be consistent, take baby steps, and do not borrow beyond what your business cannot help you pay back”. Ogechi learnt the importance of patience and perseverance. “Life is unpredictable, but keeping trying and taking challenges can lead to a big break someday.”
As for Jacintha, business isn’t easy but yet, you have to strife to survive. “Meeting targets isn’t a piece of cake. It’s a process. You don’t use one stable source of income or a job to establish wealth. Businesses create wealth” She said. Jacintha added “Being self-employed allows you challenges your thinking and propels you to manage time well”
Like Jacintha, Jael says to “START!!!”. Do not strive for Perfection. “That business/brand will not be international in a month, two months, sometimes even years. You’ll make lots of mistakes, take the lessons and move. Don’t wallow in it.
These women’s stories highlight the challenges and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Looking at the high rates of poverty, women, especially young ones are still finding ways to start and grow businesses, creating wealth and improving their lives. Their experiences offer valuable lessons for others looking to follow in their footsteps.
Photo credit: pep.net
#Hannah Omokafe Dennis. Is a fellow of Africa foundation for young Media Professionals’ 2025 Women in Journalism, gender based reporting media fellowship
