Nigerian Bottling Firm Reaffirms Commitment To Women Empowerment

The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd., a leading consumer packaged goods company and member of the Coca-Cola HBC group, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s leadership and inclusion through its partnership with Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) at the organisation’s 24th Annual Conference.

The two-day event, themed “Own. Walk. Nurture.”, held in Lagos, attracted women leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across sectors to discuss strategies for empowerment, innovation, and growth.

At a panel session titled “Leading from the Inside Out: Balancing Ambition, Vulnerability & Purpose,” NBC’s director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Oluwasoromidayo George, joined other female leaders to share perspectives on navigating leadership with authenticity and purpose.

George emphasised the importance of intentionality, strategy, and emotional intelligence in leadership, noting that modern workplaces must evolve to support both personal and professional development. She described authenticity and vulnerability as powerful qualities that enable women to build influence and foster trust within their organisations.

“When we talk about vulnerability, I would equate it to being open and confident at work; it draws connection and trust, especially when you engage with people of power and influence. Be authentic, stay true to yourself, and align your values wherever you find yourself,” she said.

Also, NBC awarded a total of N1 million in grants under the WIMBIZ Entrepreneurship Masterclass initiative. The beneficiaries were Toyibah Shehu Mohammed of FarhM’s Food and Sauce Global Limited and Helen Gabriel of Ogy’s Cakes, both recognised for their creativity, resilience, and potential for economic impact.

Presenting the grants, Jolomi Fawehinmi, NBC’s People & Culture Director, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to empowering women-led enterprises.

“At NBC, we believe that women-led businesses contribute immensely to the economy, and when that happens, communities also thrive. To every woman who participated in the Entrepreneurship Masterclass, you have already demonstrated your commitment to growth, excellence, and impact,” Fawehinmi stated.