Nestlé Nigeria Deepens Grassroots Impact with Women Empowerment Initiative in Agbara

Nestlé Nigeria has taken another bold step in its commitment to inclusive growth by extending its flagship initiative, Nestlé is Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria, to Agbara, Ogun State. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen small businesses and uplift livelihoods in underserved communities.

Now in its fifth year, the initiative has transformed the lives of over 382 women across the nation. The latest cohort includes 49 new participants  from Agbara, the project has now reached 431 women selected by their community and poised to benefit from tailored business training, mentorship, and product grants valued at ₦200,000. These resources are designed to help participants scale their retail operations by up to 300% within just three months.

At the launch event, Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, emphasized the program’s as transformative power:

“Supporting rural women to scale their retail operations by up to 300% is not only beneficial for business but essential for fostering a more inclusive economy, stronger families, and resilient communities.”

She highlighted the special significance of Agbara, a community that has hosted Nestlé Nigeria for over four decades, and expressed confidence in the success stories that will emerge from this new phase.

Boladale Odunlami, Commercial Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, reinforced the strategic intent behind the initiative:

“We are intentional about creating growth opportunities across every segment of our value chain. More than 85% of past participants have reported sustained business expansion, and we expect the Agbara cohort to continue this legacy of progress.”

The Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria initiative was launched in 2021 to support women retailers in underserved communities, recognizing their critical role in driving local economies.

Representing the Alagbara of Agbara, Olori Adeola Agunbiade praised Nestlé’s enduring relationship with the community and urged the women to seize the opportunity:

“We are delighted to see the women we have carefully selected benefit from this program. I assure Nestlé Nigeria of our commitment to co-owning this project, which will further strengthen our bond.”

Participants expressed heartfelt gratitude and optimism. Mrs. Eniola Fausat, one of the new beneficiaries, shared:

“This opportunity has opened my eyes to what is possible in my business. With the training and support, I am now more confident that I can improve my shop and better support my family.”

The initiative equips women with essential skills in entrepreneurship, bookkeeping, merchandising, and customer service. Each participant is paired with a personal mentor for three months and receives product grants to boost their business capacity. By fostering financial independence and community resilience, Nestlé continues to create ripple effects of empowerment across Nigeria.