Unilever Nigeria, in collaboration with the Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF), has successfully empowered more than 13,000 women across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through its Shakti initiative, a program designed to foster entrepreneurship among women by providing the necessary tools, training, and mentorship.
Since its launch in 2014, the Shakti initiative has had a transformative impact on the lives of its beneficiaries. By offering women the opportunity to become independent entrepreneurs, the program enables them to improve their personal economic situations while also supporting their families and communities. Through selling Unilever products, these women have not only become self-sufficient but have also contributed to the local economies within their regions.
Tobi Adeniyi, the Customer Development Director of Unilever Nigeria, highlighted the significant progress achieved through the initiative, remarking on how some of the women started their entrepreneurial journeys with product support valued at just N20,000. “Over the years, many of these women have grown their businesses to double digits in the hundreds of thousands, and some have even reached the million-naira mark,” Adeniyi said.
He added that the success stories from the Shakti initiative are a testament to the power of purpose and the potential of women to make meaningful socio-economic contributions. “Unilever Nigeria is proud of this initiative and remains committed to expanding it, with the goal of reaching thousands more women year on year. The impact goes beyond just the financial benefits—it’s about empowering women to drive change within their homes and society as a whole,” Adeniyi stated.
The Shakti initiative, which derives its name from the Sanskrit word for “power” or “strength,” aligns with Unilever’s global commitment to gender equality and economic empowerment. By offering training in areas such as financial literacy, sales techniques, and business management, the initiative equips women with the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed as entrepreneurs.
The Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF), Unilever’s implementing partner, plays a critical role in ensuring that the women not only receive products but also ongoing mentorship and business development support. This comprehensive approach allows the beneficiaries to scale their businesses and achieve long-term success.
One of the remarkable aspects of the Shakti initiative is its focus on inclusivity and reaching women in underserved and rural communities. Many of the beneficiaries live in areas with limited access to formal employment opportunities. By bringing entrepreneurship directly to these women, Unilever Nigeria is helping to bridge the gap between rural and urban economic participation.
Beyond the economic benefits, the initiative has fostered a sense of community among the women involved, as they share experiences, support each other, and contribute to local development. The social impact of the program extends to improved education and healthcare for their families, as the increased household income enables these women to invest in their children’s schooling and overall well-being.
As Unilever Nigeria looks to the future, the company has expressed its intention to continue scaling the Shakti initiative. Plans are already underway to expand its reach to additional states, with a focus on empowering even more women to become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
