Business
Nestlé Empowers Women Towards Self-Sufficiency, Self-Reliance, Nation Building
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By Eric Elezuo
“Our goal is to ensure women feel supported, valued and respected. We have been working to balance the gender makeup of our workforce and leadership. As a result, the proportion of women in managerial positions is increasing, including in our most senior executive posts,” – Nestlé
If we have to measure the level or state Nestlé is giving women the power, authority and wherewithal to carry out their specific and basic assignments without recourse to another authority, the result will be unprecedented. Of course, this article is tailored towards that measurement, and the outcome is positively humongous. Women has found a resting beam on the efficacy and empowerment prowess of Nestlé, both as a Nigerian entity, and as a global force.
It is no secret that Nigerian women have found solace in the empowerment efforts of the dairy manufacturing giants, thereby taking charge of their own affairs, legally or otherwise towards becoming independent, self reliant, self sustaining, and of course capable of independently meeting their personal and communal responsibilities.
That is the makeup of Nigeria’s foremost food, beverage and other essential household makers, Nestlé Nigeria Limited, empowering all and sundry, with special bias to women, to becoming masters of their existence.
Charity, they say, begins at home, and so, Nestlé has anchored its placement of women on higher pedestal of empowerment and recognition from it primarily environment, as it gives women a pride of place in its employment indices. Presently, a total of 46.4% of its management positions are occupied by women. It is no wonder they won Top Employer Award in 2022 and following.
The company noted, “Our Gender Balance Acceleration Plan aims to increase the proportion of women in our top 200+ senior executive posts. We carefully monitor our succession planning to ensure that we have the right pipeline for our most critical business roles and provide career support and guidance through our Senior Leader Development Roadmap (Corporate Mentoring Program, Senior Leaders Development Assessment Center and Senior Executive Program).”
This has fulfilled one of their cardinal objectives, which is giving women the leverage to support their men, and in most cases become their own economic masters.
Nestlé’s efforts at empowering women is not limited to geo-location, and workplace excellence. Consequently, the brand on many occasions and still counting, has zeroed into communal existence, entrepreneurial capacity building, academic enablement, vocational mentorship and many more for women, giving them the needed zeal to coexist in a world erroneously described as a man’s world.
No one will forget in a hurry how during the 2014 United Nations 6th Annual Women’s Empowerment Principles event, Nestlé shared its mind bulging efforts to empower women and girls worldwide, exhibiting its works in cooperation with almost 750,000 women to provide technical and business skills, aimed at boosting education, training and opportunities, to encourage the professional development of women in the marketplace and community.
Also in August 2021, the brand launched the Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria project, the first of its kind, with the sole aim of helping rural women retailers within the company’s value chain to scale up their businesses to increase their household incomes. The programme has assumed national prominence from Nsukka and Obolo-Afor, where it was launched, reaching instantly to the suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory and Osogbo in its first and second phases.
From the initial 150 beneficiaries, the gains have continued to multiply, integrating more Nigerian women, who are presently capable of holding their own. Nestle doesn’t settle for less in its quest to create a self reliant Nigerian woman.
The project is one of the Creating Shared Value initiatives that Nestlé deploys to help build thriving communities by improving livelihoods, and designed to equip female distributors at the end of the pyramid to scale up to three times the size of their existing businesses over three months, and to sustain the new level.
“At Nestlé, we believe that by contributing to the health and wellbeing of our communities, we create shared value for all stakeholders while contributing to the growth of our business,” the corporate headquarters was quoted as saying.
The package for beneficiaries of this programme includes grants by way of Nestlé products valued at 300% of their current monthly sales and participation in training and mentorship programs.
That’s not all, Nestlé provides each beneficiary retailer with a one-on-one mentor for guidance and consistent support. At the end of the day, the beneficiaries come out grounded and rounded, gaining the ability to master the trade and remain relevant in their businesses.
With this programme, Nestlé Nigeria has propelled 332 women entrepreneurs to amplify their businesses by an impressive 300% within the span of just one year, underscoring the company’s commitment to Creating Shared Value within its value chain, tailored to bolster financial security and enhance livelihoods, which specifically targets women within Nestlé Nigeria’s value chain.
Nestlé has also empowered women to diversify their incomes with the innovative family-centered approach, known as the Income Accelerator Programme, which is aiming to close the living income gap and reduce child labour risks by encouraging changes in behavior and rewarding positive practices.
This exemplifies Nestlé’s commitment to empowering women and households collectively, towards diversifying their incomes and building income resilience beyond every other primary endeavour.
Beyond the Nigerian shores, Nestlé also tells the story of global empowerment of women towards becoming the backbone of coffee cultivation.
The story goes, “Nescafé sources coffee from 20+ countries and recognizes the vital role that women play in growing high-quality coffee. Our sustainability initiative, the Nescafé Plan, isn’t just about producing great coffee. It’s also about empowering the communities that grow it. Supporting farmer incomes is a critical element, and, in many origins like Vietnam, the program is helping achieve yield increases up to 25%…
…”So far, Nescafé Plan 2030‘s farmer training programs have reached over 148 000 farmers in 16 countries, including… Vietnam. This knowledge empowers women to make informed decisions about their farms, improve yields, and, ultimately, grow their incomes.”
Again, Nestlé is in the forefront of empowering women farmers and advancing agriculture, and has been keenly aware of women’s vital role in Nigeria’s agriculture sector. Nestlé’s Agricultural Support Programmes have turned the challenge of limited access to resources, and climate change which threatens crop yield around, focusing specifically on women farmers by providing quality seeds, modern tools, and training in sustainable farming practices.
It has also partnered with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to promote climate-smart farming techniques that empower women to combat environmental challenges and increase crop yields.
As a testament of wholesome assistance to women’s course, the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, has recognized Nestlé for transparency in advancing women’s equality in the workplace for the fifth consecutive year.
It is believed that when the women are empowered, the community is empowered, and Nestlé takes cognizance, and is working assiduously in that direction.
Business
AD Consulting, Ecobank Partner to Host Art and Architecture Icons in “The Convergence”
Nigeria’s leading voices in art and architecture will converge in Lagos as AD Consulting partners Ecobank Nigeria to present The Convergence: The Iconic Architect & the Icons of Art, a landmark cultural experience celebrating Nigeria’s creative excellence, heritage and legacy.
Scheduled to run from October 1 to 7, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos, the event will bring together internationally acclaimed architect Olajumoke Adenowo, Founder of AD Consulting, and some of Nigeria’s most distinguished visual artists for an immersive exploration of the relationship between architecture, art and African heritage.
Among the artists whose works will feature are Abiodun Olaku, Bunmi Babatunde, Kehinde Adewuyi, Tayo Quaye, Mufu Onifade, Alex Nwokolo, Fidelis Odogwu, Kassi Nathalie, Dotun Popoola, Steve Ekpenisi, Collins Abinoro and Joshua Nmesirionye among others.
Speaking on the concept behind The Convergence, Olajumoke Adenowo, Founder, AD Consulting, said: “Architecture and art are two of the most enduring expressions of who we are as a people. They tell our stories, preserve our heritage and give form to the values we want to pass on to future generations. The Convergence brings these two powerful voices together to celebrate Nigeria’s extraordinary creative heritage while creating a space for new conversations about identity, beauty, ownership and legacy.”
She added: “This is not simply an exhibition. It is an intentional meeting of architecture, art and people who understand that some of the most valuable things we can leave behind are not merely possessions, but ideas, culture and a sense of who we are. Through NeoHeritage, The Convergence creates a contemporary expression of our heritage while looking confidently towards the future.”
Also speaking, Austen Osokpor, Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Ecobank Nigeria, said the partnership represents an opportunity to support African creative excellence while creating a platform where culture, creativity, private wealth and enterprise intersect.
According to Osokpor, “Africa’s wealth is not defined by financial capital alone. Our culture, creativity, intellectual capital and heritage are equally important assets that must be preserved, celebrated and passed on to future generations. The Convergence gives us an opportunity to support this broader definition of African wealth by bringing together exceptional artists, architects, collectors and cultural patrons in one powerful experience.”
He added: “For Ecobank, this is more than an event. It is about creating meaningful platforms that connect people, ideas and opportunities, while reinforcing our commitment to African excellence. We are delighted to partner with AD Consulting and Olajumoke Adenowo on an initiative that places Nigerian creativity firmly within the wider African and global cultural conversation.”
Unlike a conventional exhibition or art fair, The Convergence has been conceived as a platform for dialogue, exploring how art and architecture shape identity, preserve cultural memory and create enduring legacies.
At its heart is Adenowo’s Neo Heritage philosophy, which connects Africa’s rich cultural inheritance with contemporary creative expression.
The experience is built around three design pillars: Light, Zeitgeist and The 4th Dimension.
The Convergence will open on October 1 with an exclusive Collectors & Patrons evening curated for invited collectors, patrons, high-net-worth individuals and distinguished guests.
The opening will provide an intimate opportunity to experience the exhibition, engage with participating artists and explore the works within a setting centred on art, architecture, ownership, cultural stewardship and legacy.
The programme will include curated viewing opportunities, conversations with artists and creative leaders, and experiences designed to foster meaningful connections among collectors, patrons, architects and cultural leaders.
The wider exhibition will continue from October 2 to 7, giving a broader audience the opportunity to experience the works and engage with the ideas underpinning The Convergence.
The programme will also feature a Patron’s Preview, Founders’ Cocktail featuring an Architecture Salon by AD Consulting, and a Collectors’ Circle, offering opportunities for private viewings and deeper engagement with the artists and their work.
Business
Zenith Bank Opens Digital, Branch Channels for Dangote Refinery Share Subscription
Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora seeking to participate in the landmark Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals can subscribe conveniently through Zenith Bank, a receiving bank for the historic transaction and a designated electronic application channel for the offer. Subscription is open through the Zenith Bank website, the Zenith mobile app, internet banking, USSD, corporate internet banking and any Zenith Bank branch nationwide.
Across all of these channels, anchored by Zenith Bank’s network of 456 branches and 84 cash centres, investors enjoy a secure, fast and reliable route into the offer from anywhere in the world, at any hour. Whether the application begins on a phone in London, a laptop in Houston or across the counter of a Zenith banking hall in Lokoja, the path to ownership opens with a few taps and carries the investor smoothly through to completion.
Every subscription is linked to the investor’s Bank Verification Number, a seal of identity and security that accompanies each application from submission to allotment.
It is service the Zenith way: first-time and seasoned investors alike enjoy a straightforward and fully protected process, and the quiet confidence that their stake in history is processed through Zenith Bank.
Applications open on Monday, 14 September 2026 and run for 30 days, closing on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. According to the prospectus, the shares are offered at ₦525 each, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares, or ₦5,250. The offer seeks to raise ₦2.15 trillion, the largest equity offering ever undertaken on the African continent, and the prospectus further provides that retail investors who subscribe and hold their shares may qualify for bonus shares under the Retail Investor Incentive Programme, subject to regulatory approvals.
Zenith Bank stands ready to make participation effortless for investors who choose to take part. Nigeria’s largest bank by Tier-1 capital and the country’s most profitable bank, Zenith has built its reputation on combining scale with innovation, and that strength is now at the service of every investor in this offer. This is proven ground for the bank: Zenith Bank’s own most recent public offering was executed mainly through digital channels, a demonstration of digital readiness built on the bank’s robust digital infrastructure. That infrastructure has since been strengthened further through a comprehensive technological overhaul, positioning Zenith to serve its retail customers with the same excellence long enjoyed by its corporate clients, precisely the capability an offer of this scale demands.
Within the wider transaction, Quantum Zenith Capital & Investments Limited serves among the joint issuing houses, while Zenith Bank itself provides the secure and dependable channels through which applications are received and processed. Having successfully taken its own landmark offer to the market through digital channels, Zenith brings that same tested infrastructure and experience to the largest equity offering in African history. It is the same combination of financial strength, digital excellence and customer devotion that has earned Zenith Bank recognition year after year as one of Africa’s foremost financial institutions, trusted by millions of customers and by the corporates and governments behind the continent’s biggest transactions.
For over three decades, Zenith Bank has been the trusted gateway to Nigeria’s defining financial moments, and its channels are open for this one. Investors who wish to participate can fund their Zenith Bank account and subscribe through any of the bank’s platforms before the offer closes on 13 October 2026.
Please note that the details of the offer are provided in the prospectus and guided by extant regulations. Zenith Bank serves as a Receiving Bank and electronic application channel for this offer. Investors are advised to carefully read the Prospectus and, where appropriate, seek independent professional advice before making any investment decision.
Business
Ecobank Urges Young Nigerian Creatives to Seize ₦20m InnovateX 2026 Opportunity
Ecobank Nigeria has called on young Nigerians, particularly students, innovators, entrepreneurs, and creatives aged 16 to 25, to take advantage of the ongoing registration for InnovateX 2026, the Bank’s flagship youth innovation challenge offering ₦20 million in prizes, mentorship, business development support, and access to industry experts.
Powered by Blaze by Ecobank in partnership with Verve, InnovateX 2026 is designed to identify and support the next generation of innovators and creators developing solutions across inclusive finance, as well as the creative economy.
Beyond the financial support, participants will benefit from an intensive innovation journey featuring hybrid bootcamps, expert-led workshops, mentorship sessions, networking opportunities, and a grand finale pitch competition where finalists will showcase their ideas before a panel of industry leaders and investors.
The competition is open to young Nigerians working on innovative projects in technology, engineering, science, product design, content creation, digital media, entertainment, fashion, and other creative disciplines.
Encouraging young Nigerians to register, Victor Yalokwu, Head, Products & Analytics, Ecobank Nigeria, said: “Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of young talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy. Through InnovateX, we are providing a platform for young people to transform bold ideas into impactful solutions and sustainable businesses. We encourage students, innovators, tech enthusiasts, creators, and entrepreneurs across the country to seize this opportunity and take their ambitions to the next level.”
He added: “The future belongs to young people who are willing to innovate, solve problems, and create value. InnovateX is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, mentorship, exposure, and resources they need to succeed in today’s highly competitive and technology-driven world.”
Yalokwu further explained that InnovateX is not just about rewarding great ideas, but also about building confidence, nurturing talent, and connecting young people to opportunities that can help them grow personally and professionally. “Whether you are developing a tech solution, building a creative brand, or working on an innovation that can improve lives, InnovateX provides a valuable platform to showcase your potential and accelerate your journey towards success,” he said.
As part of its commitment to youth empowerment, Ecobank continues to provide innovative banking solutions through the Blaze Account, a youth-focused offering that gives customers access to exclusive opportunities, a uniquely designed debit card, free monthly transfers, and participation in initiatives such as InnovateX.
Young Nigerians interested in participating are encouraged to submit their applications through www.innovatex.africa before the registration deadline.
With ₦20 million up for grabs and a unique opportunity to gain mentorship, skills, exposure, and industry recognition, InnovateX 2026 is poised to become one of Nigeria’s most impactful youth innovation and entrepreneurship programmes.






