By Chesa Chesa
Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasized the country’s strong support framework for women entrepreneurs through its government ministries, while underlining her own complementary role.
She spoke in her office on Tuesday while hosting a delegation of Russian chapter of Women’s Business Alliance, a group of women entrepreneurs affiliated to the transcontinental economic bloc – BRICS – which paid her a courtesy visit at the commencement of a bilateral conference in Abuja.
Mrs. Tinubu First Lady expressed gratitude for the invitation to participate in the conference organized by the group, but explained that her office mainly plays a supportive and advisory role to the President rather than direct governance. “When it comes to trade and business, the Ministry of Trade is the more appropriate institution to engage with,” she noted.
She reassured the entrepreneurs that relevant ministries, including Women Affairs and Trade, are equipped to collaborate and provide necessary assistance for business development and empowerment initiatives. “Since you are here as women entrepreneurs, the Ministry of Women Affairs will work in partnership to teach entrepreneurial skills and support your endeavors,” she said.
The First Lady also shared insights into her philanthropic activities, highlighting her personal commitment to charitable projects focused on women, children, and families. She revealed plans to distribute sanitary towels to young women in rural communities in Gombe State, an initiative funded personally or through supporters, outside government budgets.
Acknowledging the democratic structure of Nigeria’s governance, she noted that ministries operate with allocated budgets to carry out such programs, with her office playing a complementary role rather than direct budget management.
She also affirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate and provide a conducive environment for business growth, stating, “I believe you have a very good ally in Nigeria.”
Leader of the delegation, Anna Nesterova, representing the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA), expressed deep admiration for Nigeria’s commitment to women’s entrepreneurship during a recent address.
Nesterova congratulated Nigeria’s First Lady on her recent birthday and praised Nigeria’s growing role in BRICS cooperation. She highlighted the success of the recent BRICS Women Entrepreneurship Forum, which gathered 900 participants from over 40 countries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, Ms. Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim.
She detailed the BRICS WBA’s initiatives, including a digital platform connecting over 3,000 businesswomen from 60 countries and a startup contest with Nigerian participation. Highlighting the potential for cooperation, Nesterova introduced key members of the BRICS business delegation visiting Abuja and outlined plans to open a regional BRICS Women’s Business Alliance office in Nigeria.
She emphasized this would provide Nigerian women entrepreneurs easier access to international markets and foster stronger ties between BRICS countries and Nigeria.
Nesterova presented a special commemorative book from the Forum and invited Nigeria’s leadership to participate in next year’s event. In a humanitarian gesture, the Alliance donated labor and delivery kits to support maternal healthcare in Nigeria, symbolizing solidarity and commitment to improving childbirth safety.
