Why Women Have an Edge When It Comes to Doing Business in Nigeria - Funke Oshin-Akano
- The challenges that Nigerian women face when it comes to doing business in Nigeria are well-documented
- However, many have remained resolute despite the circumstances that include power outages, gender bias, and family obligations to thrive in business
- Lending her voice to the discourse, popular brand strategist, Funke Oshin-Akano, highlights the importance of navigating chaos and pushing through adversity, despite the lack of a manual for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria
Despite the challenging socio-economic conditions in Nigeria and the ever-evolving entrepreneurship landscape, women are proving time and again that they have what it takes to survive and even thrive in the country.
From tech innovators and banking executives to entertainment titans and media moguls, Nigerian women are reshaping industries and driving the economy forward. But, as Funke Oshin-Akano, founder and lead strategist at Phero Media, a Lagos-based public relations agency, points out, it’s not only about passion or profit, it is also about the gender’s resilience despite the odds.
Source: Original
“Women have an edge in Nigerian business. We have learned to navigate chaos and still deliver. In a place where conditions are rarely perfect, we’re constantly finding ways to make it work,” Oshin-Akano expressed.
“You know, there’s no manual for how to run a business here, especially as a woman. You make it up as you go, but you make it work.”
She added, for Nigerian women, doing business isn’t just about making money, it’s about pushing through the odds.
“We are balancing family obligations, fighting against gender biases, and navigating the unpredictable hurdles that come with running a business in a country known for its power outages, inconsistent policies, and unspoken pressures. Yet, we do it with unparalleled grit and determination.”
Across industries like media, tech, fashion, and agriculture, women have stepped into leadership roles, and they’re doing so with an edge, from the likes of Adaora Umeoji and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to Tems, Mo Abudu and Chimamanda Adichie, among many others. These women aren’t waiting for perfect conditions, they’re creating their own opportunities, even when the odds are stacked against them
Source: Instagram
Whether it’s leading organisations, pioneering paths, answering client calls while managing family duties, facing questions about their husbands’ support for their dreams, or learning to thrive without a blueprint, Nigerian women are showing the world what true resilience looks like.
Funke Oshin-Akano’s journey as a female entrepreneur hasn’t been without challenges, but she believes that women’s ability to push through adversity is their greatest strength.
However, Oshin-Akano acknowledges that the strength of Nigerian women is often romanticised
She explains, “Sometimes I think our ability to keep going gets romanticised. Yes, we’re strong, but we’re also tired. What I want is space for women to build without always being in survival mode.”
The reality of burnout, pivoting, and learning from mistakes is part of the journey, but it’s also where the true stories of success lie.
Today’s Nigerian women in business are celebrating wins and also sharing their wisdom, which includes the lessons learned through struggles.
There is now a growing trend of not leaving out the messy parts in success stories, the burnout, the lessons, the pivots. Emerging leaders, like Funke Oshin-Akano, are embodying this, using their platforms to share not only wins but also wisdom.
4 Ways Nigerian Women Can Get Funding for Their Businesses
Previously, Legit.ng reported that Nigerian women entrepreneurs often faced difficulties with regards to funding and growing their businesses.
Despite these difficulties in getting access to resources, there are at least four ways in which they can get funding for their businesses, including the FirstGem fund, bank loans through the gender desk and Women in Tech Incubator.
Source: Legit.ng
