Untold Story Of How Insurgency, Family Responsibility Propel Northeast Women Traders To Success

Over the last decade, women in the Northeastern part of the country, a region hit by Boko Haram insurgency, ventured into business to make a living — bearing personal and family survival needs — while breaking the fear of terror and an age-long socio-cultural jinx retarding women’s growth to become successful entrepreneurs, Kamal Ibrahim reports.

In the heart of Maiduguri, an ancient city marred by relentless Boko Haram insurgency, Sutiya Kolo, becomes a symbol of resilience and entrepreneurship breakthrough. Kolo transformed her adversity into an opportunity, creating a thriving business selling performs and room fresheners.
Kolo’s journey of success from fear to fortune represents the indomitable spirit of Northeast women who refuse to be broken by insurgency and retarding culture.

“It was a time of great uncertainty,” she recalls. “But I know I had to find a way to survive and provide for myself and others.”

In the mid of the Boko Haram insurgency, Kolo identified an opportunity. She noticed that despite the despair and terror, people still yearned for small comfort to bring normalcy to their lives. She established Suti-Multipurpose selling body mix perfumes, room fresheners and fragrances.

“Today, I excel in the business because I do not only operate in Maiduguri but all over the North. Here I am attending the North East Regional Trade Fair in Bauchi,” she explained.
LEADERSHIP Weekend reports that at the time this reporter visited Borno State Pavilion at the venue of the trade fair, Kolo was the only businessperson from Borno still selling her products. “I cannot leave until

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I either sold my products or the trade fair ended,” she said.
Contented with earnings made from her business venture, Kolo doesn’t look up to employment from the government despite being an educated woman. I cannot accept any government opportunity that could deny me a chance to continue my business,” she insisted.

Similarly, Hajara Kabir, a Gombe-based businessperson, began selling fashions — women’s long-gowns, textiles and laces — reeling from a pressing need to support her family. She was determined to find a way to make ends meet.

Kabir recalls, “It was a difficult time. I knew I had to do something to provide for my children and ensure they had a better future.”

She ventured into fashion with a small of savings coupled with a loan from a close family friend.
Her keen eye for detail and commitment to quality set her apart from competitors. “I knew that to succeed, I had to offer something unique. People want good quality and fashionable designs and I was determined to provide that,” she said.

Kabir added, “It was amazing to see how people appreciated my business. The positive feedback and support from the customers motivated me to keep pushing forward.”
With her business thriving, Kabir has been able to provide a stable income for her family, ensuring her children receive a good education and a better quality of life. Beyond her success, she has also become a mentor to other aspiring entrepreneurs in Gombe, sharing knowledge and experience to help them succeed.

“I believe in giving back to the community,” she notes. “If I can help others achieve their dreams, then my journey has even more meaning.”

Both Sutiya Kolo and Hajara Kabir, participants at the North East Joint Trade Fair, demonstrate how determination and hard work can turn adversity into opportunity for women. In a region where economic challenges are prevalent, their successes serve as inspiration to many underprivileged women in the region, demonstrating that with the right mindsets and perseverance, women can overcome obstacles and achieve great things.

Also, as they continue to grow their businesses and support their community, Kolo and Kabir’s journey remains a powerful testament to the transformative power of women’s entrepreneurship.
LEADERSHIP Weekend recalls that Vice President Kashim Shettima flagged off the opening of the 15th North East Joint Domestic Trade Fair on 18th May 2024 in Bauchi. The trade fair brought participants from not just immediate northeastern states but also other parts of the country.