Grassroots Women Empowered At Leadership, Business Training

Over 100 grassroots women, mostly subsistence farmers and petty traders, participated in a one-day leadership and business skills training organised by the ENS Innovation Hub Ltd and the White Gold Initiative, in collaboration with the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC).

Under the theme “Leading Self to Lead Others,” the training, which was held in Buzunkure, a rural community within the Kuje Area Council of the FCT, was designed to equip women with the practical tools needed to build confidence, strengthen money management skills, and grow small businesses in ways that improve their families and communities.

Speaking at the opening, the facilitator and co-founder of the ENS Innovation Hub Ltd, Shirley Igbinedion, emphasised that leadership begins with self.

“Before we can lead others – whether our families, businesses, or communities – we must first learn how to lead ourselves. That means building confidence, setting small goals, and being disciplined with our resources,” she said.

The program featured a mix of storytelling, group discussions, and role plays that reflected the women’s daily realities. Sessions focused on money management, entrepreneurship, and people skills. Through interactive exercises, participants learned the “three pots” method of managing money – separating income into business, family, and savings – and shared ideas for adding value to their small businesses, such as packaging produce differently or selling complementary goods together.

At the close of the training, each participant committed to one action she would take in the coming month to improve her farm or trade. Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “I never thought about separating my money before. Now I know I must save for the future, not just spend everything,” said Hauwa, a petty trader from the community. Another participant, Grace, a local farmer, added: “The stories shared today showed me that I can start small and still grow my business.”

The program demonstrates the power of targeted, practical training to strengthen women’s capacity to sustain their livelihoods and inspire change within their families and communities.