Nigerian women are taking the world by storm with various business innovations. Many of the very successful ones are recognized worldwide, and many others remain anonymous even in their own country silently raking in the money. They are demonstrating by their very success that it is not a man’s world afterall and that a woman can hold her own in business if she chooses to.
We covered Part 1 of Top 30 Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs and Their Business Initiatives in an earlier post, here is the Part 2 of the same series:
1. Nkemdilim Begho
Nkemdilim Begho is the founder of Future Software Resources Ltd., an IT company dedicated to e-learning initiatives, internet solutions, and IT security. Just like Kofo Akinkugbe of Secure ID Nigeria, Begho manages a nationwide business that scores high on innovative technology and IT trends within and outside the country.
2. Chinwe Ohajuruka
Chinwe Ohajuruka is the CEO and founder of Comprehensive Design Services, a company dedicated to affordable green houses. Shuttling between Nigeria and her US-base, Ohajuruka’s company engages in sustainable housing projects that are fully energy and resource-efficient. She is an architect that advocates for green housing solutions and she is recognized globally for her giant strides in this aspect.
3. Achenyo Idachaba
Achenyo Idachaba is the founder and CEO of Mitimeth, an initiative dedicated to environmental health and entrepreneurship. Considering that water hyacinths could be very destructive and blocks major waterways, Mitimeth harvests the obstructive hyacinths to clear the waterways and then hand-crafts the dried plants to make beauty and household products. Her company has crafted dried hyacinths to make baskets, tableware and jewelry among other things.
4. Banke Kuku
Banke Kuku is the founder of Banke Kuku Textiles, a company that creates a blend of African and Western fabrics to make interior designs and wearable clothing. Her unique fabric designs have been showcased in London, Paris and New York among other places, and her innovative blend of fabrics continues to promote the African culture in foreign lands.
5. Leslie Okoye
Leslie Okoye is the CEO and founder of Cookie Skin, a beauty and cosmetics company dedicated to skincare products for women of colour. Cookie Skin is a line of skincare products that improves the shine and health of the skin. The beauty products promote a flawless complexion that endears the users to everyone around. Cookie Skin cosmetic products can be seen in major supermarkets and beauty stores as well as in online stores for purchase.
6. Joycee Awojoodu
Joycee Awojoodu is the founder of ORIKI, a skincare beauty line of products. The firm harvests natural plants and combines these with other natural ingredients to develop a wide range of beauty products such as moisturizers, toners, exfoliates, masks, serums, and treatment solutions for the skin. The company conducts scientific researches into potent plants, natural oils and other organic ingredients to create skin products that beautifies, tones and promotes youthfulness.
7. Nkem Okocha
Nkem Okocha is the founder of Mamamoni Limited, a social enterprise company dedicated to empowering local women from disadvantaged backgrounds. Mamamoni trains these women in vocational skills for free, helps them to secure soft loans, and enables them to provide for their families and educate their children in schools. Okocha’s initiative makes a positive impact on rural women who otherwise would not have been able to access micro-credit loans and vocational skills needed for economic empowerment.
8. Adenike Akinsemolu
Adenike Akinsemolu is the founder of The Green Campus Initiative, a local initiative dedicated to environmental sustainability and eco-friendliness. The initiative seeks to train and empower youths in campuses and other major communities to tackle climate change through the use of renewable energy, waste recycling, water and energy conservation, and sustainable transportation using bicycles among other things.
9. Fatima Babakura
Fatima Babakura is the founder of Timabee, a luxury accessory brand of crafted leather handbags. The enterprise creates luxury women handbags crafted to meet all occasions. The creativity, time and resources that go into making each handbag is a testimonial to the rare quality of the finished products and the grace they bring to fashion-conscious women users.
10. Nnenna Kalu Makanjuola
Nnenna Kalu Makanjuola is the founder and publisher of Radiant Health Magazine, a magazine dedicated to women’s health. Makanjuola has a doctorate in Pharmacy and a Masters degree in Public Health from Columbia University, she is a public health advocate committed to women health across and beyond Nigeria. The Radiant Health magazine covers beauty, physical fitness, healthy eating, health and wellness, and family life for women.