Abuja: The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has partnered with Tikera Africa to drive economic empowerment for Nigerian women through the ‘Inspiring Woman-Led Artisanship Initiative.’
According to Voice of Nigeria, the initiative, announced during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, aims to empower women artisans with tools, funding, and technology. This initiative seeks to create opportunities for women to showcase their craft locally and globally, build networks that open markets, and shape policies that protect their rights and expand access to finance. The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted the partnership as a significant step towards institutionalising dignity in skilled work, preserving heritage crafts, and unlocking new markets across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The initiative builds on the successes of the Nigeria for Women Project and the Women Agro Value Expansion (WAVE) programme, which have connected millions of women to value chains, export markets, and professional certifications. The Minister emphasised that with tools such as the ‘Happy Woman App’, women can access skills training, mentorship, funding, and market opportunities directly from their mobile devices. This initiative is seen as an advancement of a revolution, empowering women by recognising their creativity as currency and their skills as power.
Spotlighting Nigeria’s artisanal diversity, the Minister urged government, private sector, and development partners to invest in women, viewing it as a smart economic strategy rather than charity. She highlighted the diverse artisanal sectors across the country, from leather crafts in Kano to adire fashion in the South West, and other traditional crafts.
Bayo Omoboriowo, leading Tikera Africa’s team, expressed that their mission to preserve Nigeria’s artisanal heritage while transforming women’s lives strongly aligns with the Ministry’s vision. The organisation committed to providing women artisans with necessary resources, creating opportunities for local and global exposure, and influencing policies to protect women’s rights.
The unveiling of the ‘Inspiring Women-Led Artisanship Initiative’ marks a landmark moment for women’s economic empowerment and cultural preservation. It aims to scale women’s artisanal work from local production to global markets, ensuring their role as custodians of Nigeria’s cultural heritage and architects of their economic future through sustained livelihood activities.