NBC Grants N2 Million to Female Entrepreneurs at WIMBIZ Conference

The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) has awarded ₦2 million in grants to two female-led businesses during the 24th annual Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) conference in Lagos, a move aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting inclusive economic growth. The grants, each worth ₦1 million, were presented to Toyibah Shehu Mohammed, founder of FarhM’s Food & Sauce Global Limited, and Helen Gabriel, managing director of Ogy’s Cakes, following their emergence as winners from the WIMBIZ Entrepreneurship Masterclass competition.

The WIMBIZ conference, held at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, brought together women executives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from across Nigeria and beyond under the theme “Own. Walk. Nurture.” The annual event serves as a platform to develop leadership skills, provide mentorship, and enhance networking opportunities for women in business and public service. NBC’s involvement represents a continued commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and women-led ventures as drivers of economic development.

During the presentation of the grants, NBC’s Director of People & Culture, Jolomi Fawehinmi, highlighted the importance of investing in women entrepreneurs, noting that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) led by women are critical for job creation, innovation, and inclusive growth. She said the company’s partnership with WIMBIZ is designed to encourage female business owners to scale their operations, enhance their productivity, and positively impact local communities.

“The grants we are awarding today are more than financial support; they are an affirmation of the resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian women,” Fawehinmi said. “NBC is committed to fostering environments where women can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the economy.” She also emphasized that the company plans to expand such initiatives in collaboration with industry partners to reach more women entrepreneurs in the future.

The WIMBIZ Entrepreneurship Masterclass, which forms the basis of the grant award, focuses on providing participants with practical business training, mentorship, and access to financing. Over the course of the programme, participants engage in workshops, pitch sessions, and interactive learning designed to strengthen business strategy, operational efficiency, and market competitiveness. The two grant recipients were selected based on their innovative approaches, business scalability, and capacity to generate socio-economic impact.

Toyibah Shehu Mohammed, the founder of FarhM’s Food & Sauce Global Limited, said the grant would significantly enhance her business operations, allowing her to increase production capacity, improve distribution networks, and expand her market reach across Nigeria. “This support will enable us to meet growing demand, create employment, and ensure that our products reach more households nationwide,” she said. Similarly, Helen Gabriel of Ogy’s Cakes noted that the funding would help her scale her bakery operations, invest in modern equipment, and enhance product innovation to serve a larger customer base.

NBC’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Oluwasoromidayo George, stressed during the conference panel that women entrepreneurs require more than financial capital to succeed. She highlighted the importance of mentorship, leadership development, and creating environments that allow women to navigate challenges with confidence. “Authenticity, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven leadership are key to sustaining growth. Financial support alone is not enough; women need networks, guidance, and access to opportunities,” George said.

Industry analysts say such initiatives are timely, particularly as women-led businesses in Nigeria often face barriers to access funding and markets. By providing financial grants alongside mentorship and visibility, corporate partners like NBC help bridge existing gaps and enhance the sustainability of female-led enterprises. Analysts also note that women entrepreneurs, when adequately supported, contribute significantly to employment, income generation, and innovation in local economies.

The WIMBIZ 24th annual conference featured multiple sessions addressing women’s leadership transitions, business growth strategies, and navigating complex market environments. Participants engaged with resource persons on leveraging technology, improving operational efficiency, and accessing international markets. NBC’s grant award was among several initiatives announced during the conference, demonstrating the synergy between corporate support and structured capacity-building programs for female entrepreneurs.

Both recipients expressed gratitude for the recognition and financial support, noting that it would allow them to expand operations, strengthen brand visibility, and create additional employment opportunities. Stakeholders expect that the funding, coupled with mentorship and exposure from WIMBIZ, will contribute to enhanced business performance and long-term sustainability.

The NBC-WIMBIZ partnership underscores the growing role of private sector support in promoting women entrepreneurship in Nigeria. By combining financial assistance with leadership training, the initiative aims to build a new generation of resilient and innovative female business leaders capable of driving inclusive economic growth. Organizers also encouraged other corporations to emulate NBC’s model to foster a broader culture of support for women-led enterprises across the country.

As the beneficiaries deploy the funds, both NBC and WIMBIZ will monitor progress and provide guidance to ensure that the grants translate into measurable business growth and socio-economic impact. The program is expected to serve as a blueprint for similar interventions, reinforcing the importance of private sector involvement in bridging gaps in women’s access to resources, capacity building, and market opportunities.