8 Nigerian Women Opening Doors for More To Succeed

Chivalry may not be as lost as we all thought, it may just have been redefined. This time, it’s women who are holding doors open for other women.?

In this article, we cover the stories of 10 extraordinary Nigerian women who are not just treading their own paths; they’re constructing bridges and holding the doors wide open for the women coming after them.?

With their determination, passion, and unwavering commitment to empowerment, these trailblazers are reshaping the narrative for women in Nigeria.

1. Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin:

Founder of? Pearls Africa Youth Foundation, Abisoye is changing the narrative by introducing young girls to the world of technology, offering them opportunities to develop coding skills and pursue careers in STEM. She does this through subsidiary programs like GirlsCoding, G.C Mentors, GirlsInSTEM and Empowered Hands.

Through her foundation, she extends a hand of opportunity to young ladies in underprivileged communities to build a skill in hopes of helping them achieve financial independence.

2. Aishetu Fatima Dozie:

Aisha is an ex-global finance and capital markets executive turn founder of Bossy Cosmetics Inc.— a brand set out to reimagine the way the beauty industry designed and created products and experiences for ambitious women. Her brand’s mission is to empower women to look, feel, and do good with or without makeup on.?

Aside from being the brains behind Bossy Cosmetics, she also runs a publication, African HERstory. This publication seeks to bring the stories of ambitious black women to the limelight and give them their much-deserved accolades.

3. Adepeju Jaiyeba:

Three-time founder, Adepeju Jaiyeoba, is revolutionising maternal healthcare in Nigeria. Her ingenious solutions, Brown Button Foundation and Mother’s Delivery Kit, are not just opening doors for improved healthcare access for women. They are paving the way for a safer and healthier motherhood experience. Not stopping there, she also built Colourful Giggles Nutrition, a company providing affordable nutrition options for children in Africa.

She has repeatedly championed the importance of developing an enabling environment for women everywhere and creating, defending and enforcing policies centred on women. Her foundation is making a dent in ensuring that women in rural areas have access to quality healthcare services and support.

4. Ada Nduka Oyom:

Ada Nduka Oyom, noticing a wide gender gap in the technology industry, is on a mission to equip women with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a technology career. Her major channel for this is her foundation, She Code Africa.

Passionate about using technology as a tool for positive change, Ada has provided training, mentorship and networking opportunities in tech for women in Africa.?

5. Mary Olushoga:

Through the AWP Network, Mary Olushoga is amplifying the voices of African women entrepreneurs, providing them with resources, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive in their respective industries. In doing so, Mary is opening doors to a future where female entrepreneurs being recognized, supported, and thriving is a norm.

Also, the AWP Network collaborates with the Planet Earth Institute to provide specialized agribusiness training for female farmers. This strategic alliance is dedicated to fostering the economic growth and resilience of African women and girls.

6. Dr. Stella Williams:

Dr. Stella Williams established the Nigerian Women in Agricultural Research for Development (NiWARD). It serves as a platform for African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) fellows to share their knowledge and skills acquired during the Fellowship Program. The goal is to leverage this knowledge to drive positive transformations in Nigeria’s rural agricultural sector.

7. Francesca Onomarie Uriri:

Francesca Onomarie Uriri is the founder of Leading Ladies Africa, a platform that celebrates and promotes the achievements of African women.?

Through her work, she aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders and change-makers, proving that women can excel in any field they choose and promoting diversity and gender inclusion.?

8. Zuriel Oduwole:

21-year-old, Zuriel Oduwole, is an advocate for the education of girls in Africa. Her fierce passion for this cause led to her being profiled by Forbes in 2013 at age 10, making her the youngest person to ever be.?

She shares her story on various stages to inspire girls to stay in school and has met with 31 presidents of nations so far to discuss strategies to employ to get more girls educated. She also takes these girls through her basic Film Making 101 class.

Together, these women are not just holding doors open; they are building a foundation for a future where female empowerment is not just a concept but a lived reality.?

Their stories inspire, their actions empower, and their legacy ensures that the doors they’ve opened remain wide for generations to come. As we celebrate these women, let their journeys remind us that empowerment is a collective journey, and every woman’s success opens doors for more to follow.

By uplifting one another, supporting each other’s dreams, and championing inclusion, we pave the way for a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.

So here’s to these trailblazers and to you who will come after them. Continue to walk through the doors they’ve opened, but remember to hold them wide open for those who will come after you. Because when women support women, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.