Category: Women In Business

With the global market for organic foods projected to hit $497.3 billion by 2030, agri-preneur and founder of Ope Farms, an Ogun State-based certified organic farm, Mrs. Olusola Sowemimo, is leaving nothing to chance in her quest to claim a chunk of this huge market. Accordingly, Olusola, who is a legal practitioner and crusader for safe and healthy foods, has stepped up the campaign to ensure Nigeria complies with international organic produce standards, beside being intentional about making healthy, affordable and nutritious organic foods available to Nigerians. She shares her entrepreneurial story with DANIEL ESSIET.

It was a sad personal experience, but how agri-preneur and founder of Ope Farms, an Ogun State-based certified organic farm, Mrs. Olusola Sowemimo, managed to draw strength from the loss of her beloved mum to cancer to launch a flourishing business in organic foods is a study in determination, focus and following one’s passion. Olusola said since she lost her mum to cancer, her passion for safe and healthy food for optimum health gained traction, and also motivated her to start Ope Farms, a certified organic farm that grows its crops with zero chemicals and synthetic inputs.

Recalling how her entrepreneurial journey started, Olusola said: “At a cancer conference in 2013, I discovered that over 90 per cent of the participants were cancer survivors. At the time, my beloved mom and a few other people I knew had died of cancer. Intrigued, I started interviewing them and one thing stood out, they all alluded to the organic food they ate along with other things they did. I had my moment of reflection and decided that I was going to start an organic farm in Nigeria. That was how Ope Farms was born.” She said she enjoys meeting consumers, listening to their stories, sharing tips and ideas with them.

Read Also: ‘My crave for home-made meals pushed me into food business’

According to Olusola, such meetings with customers “make the food accessible to more people as we usually supply our harvests to families at their homes every Friday. Customers also get to buy freshly harvested produce that is still bursting with nutrients.” She stated that Ope Farms owes its significant reach and dominance in the organic foods business to the strong support of her husband, siblings, and its business manager, who is also its longest serving staff, including customers who keep the company busy. “Even the valuable information from fellow farmers and the support of all our neighbouring communities who look out for us also contributed,” she added.

Ope Farms started its agricultural production in earnest in 2015 to consciously farm safe and healthy foods. Since then, it has continued to grow from strength to strength, with its turmeric, in 2019, passing five international standards, for instance. The farm has also been featured on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC Inside Africa) and France 24. Ope Farms has also become a training centre, as farmers visit the place to receive training, hoping to replicate the company’s success one day.

“Our Farm had been consistently certified by Association of Organic Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN), following approved standards of organic production. We are expecting the outcome of the verification exercise of our farm which was just concluded for the current year by NOAN,” Olusola announced, gleefully.

NOAN is a Non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Nigeria which has been in existence since 2012, and it has been working to embed the principles and practices of organic agriculture in Nigeria in collaboration with other African organic bodies. It is also said to be the only registered organic association with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM-Organics International), which represents close to 800 affiliates in 117 countries.

Founded in 1972, IFOAM-Organics International’s declared mission is to: “Lead, unite and assist the organic movement in its full diversity.” Its vision, on the other hand, is the “worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems, based on the principles of organic agriculture. And among its wide range of activities, the federation maintains an organic farming standard, and an organic accreditation and certification service. It also works with the organic food and farming community to raise awareness about the urgent need to make organic agriculture part of a climate change solution. 

Interestingly, Ope Farms’ remarkable footprints in the organic foods space has strengthened Olusola’s advocacy on organic foods to enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, and reduce pollution and waste. As an ambassador of organic agriculture, she has never hidden her resolve to promote the transition to affordable, environment-friendly agricultural practices, as well as making healthy and affordable nutritious organic foods available to as many Nigerians as possible.

Despite Olusola’s efforts in these regards, organic foods remain expensive. And to this, she responded: “Let me speak for Ope Farms. Some of our processes are tedious and requires much more labour. An example is the production system of organic food production, which requires that we sustain the health of soils. So, we do manual weeding by using simple tools.” She said in the long run, “Organic foods get cheaper because the yield of our production increases as the soil gets richer. For example, even when tomatoes went to N100, 000 for a basket, ours was less than 50 per cent of that.”

Expectedly, Olusola’s organic foods campaign project has been helping in providing better returns for family businesses, healthy food to city dwellers, and protecting the environment from the use of pollutants such as pesticides. Her crusade is driven by the fact that the market for organic produce, internationally, is large and growing fast. For instance, the global market for organic foods is projected to reach $497.3 billion by 2030. Nearer home in Nigeria, the consumption of organic foods is said have increased in the last five years.

With such strong demand from consumers, locally and internationally, who are increasingly conscious of food safety and quality, the production of organic vegetables, for instance, is no longer a marginal activity targeting niche markets but has also become an economic opportunity.  It is this kind of opportunity, including others in the burgeoning local and international organic foods market projected to reach $497.3 billion by 2030 that Olusola, who is a Lawyer-turned agri-preneur, has since channeled her energy and resources to corner a substantial share. 

Giving more insight into her plans for Ope Farms in the coming years, Olusola said: “We aim for international certification that will see us sell some of our produce abroad. Twice our ginger and turmeric have passed seven and five international standards respectively. We also aim to build and operate a processing hub for us and others. Luckily we got land in Abeokuta, but it is costly building and equipping the place. The processing arm of the business is gradually coming up and we are aspiring to register our products.”

She did not stop there. “We would love to build an organic agriculture institute which would house the interns and trainees who are interested in learning and practicing organic agriculture on our farm,” the budding agri-preneur said, noting, however, that Nigeria has no organic agriculture policy, which, according to her, does not help the country’s image and focus. “Each time our products fail the allowable level of chemical residue, it just shows we are not doing enough. We should worry that others are doing enough,” she averred.

Olusola, while noting that not everyone should practise organic farming, however, said it was possible to embed practices that will greatly reduce the current high use of chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic. “Secondly, there is no support to NOAN, the association that is driving organic agriculture and the farmers practicing organic agriculture. I remember when I attended the World Organic Agriculture Conference in 2017 in India, their Minister of Agriculture openly apologized to their organic farmers saying that the government obviously support conventional agriculture practitioners and they need to balance the support by doing more for them,” she stated.

As Olusola insisted, “This is the exact situation in Nigeria. For example, synthetic fertiliser, chemicals are sometimes given free or the cost subsidized to conventional farmers. I was surprised and impressed when last year, I read in the papers and saw photos of organic inputs being distributed to some farmers in Sokoto. If we truly promote organic agriculture as a country, then the government should extend some support to it.

“Currently, it is organisations like GIZ that is supporting organic farming systems in Nigeria through KCOA by collating and driving the dissemination of knowledge so that many more are encouraged to practice organic farming.” While GIZ is an acronym for Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the German Agency for International Cooperation, often simply shortened to GIZ, KCOA stands for Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture, It works to fill the knowledge gaps in how organic products are produced, processed and marketed.

Olusola is aware of the knowledge gap in the field; it has in fact affected her business especially in the early stage. Her experience: “In 2014 when I started the organic farm, it was really hard for me. Knowledge was not as available as it is now. I lost money because I insisted that I would not spray with chemicals as a last remedy. Thank goodness, things are much better now. I invested a lot in knowledge. At the time, I would travel far and wide to attend courses, thank goodness; you can learn via WhatsApp or buy online courses. Overall, I’m glad that I keep learning.”

Globally, synthetic fertilisers are behind the bulk of global food production. But organic producers seek natural initiatives which support sustainable ways of growing food. As an advocate of organic farming, Olusola called for much greater attention to nitrous oxide emissions in global greenhouse gas, encouraging more farmers to adopt nature positive and regenerative practices.

She explained: “We fertilise our crops through various means. For example, we make our own compost from our farm waste, sometimes we buy from reputable companies that produce compost for sale. We produce biochar and also use for soil fertility. Controlling pests and diseases in organic agriculture is a big deal; we make different bio-pesticides depending on the particular crop as the pests differ by crop. We also practice crop rotation whereby after harvesting we plant something different in the same place. For managing weeds on the farm, we mulch with either farm waste or we plant cover crops and there are others means.”

Olusola agrees that although, organic farming offers a triple win for the economy, for human health, and for the environment, it is very costly to operate. Her words: “The highest cost for organic farming, in my own experience, is the cost of labour that is farm hands. We have no electricity so the cost of energy is high. Many farms in Nigeria sink boreholes or dig wells. Many of these come at huge cost. Since we create a budget, we ensure that our production is able to exceed our expenses. Organic is profitable in the long run.”

She, however, said generally in Agriculture, there is a learning curve and once one overcomes that period, he or she is able to scale. “The other angle is that you are likely to keep ploughing back your profit to expand the business,” she added, noting that despite being far more expensive than its non-organic counterparts, organic agriculture has become the most popular type of alternative farming.

For Olusola, the gradual shift towards organic farming means Nigeria’s industry is going to witness exciting trends. “The one that appeals to me is the increasing number of people who want to eat nutrient dense foods that only organic or ethically grown foods offer. For them, it’s not a trend, it’s a healthy lifestyle. Unknown to many, even though they are eating, their foods are not nourishing their bodies.

“This is why the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says “hunger” exists because many do not get sufficient amount of dietary energy from the food they eat. So, there is prevalence of undernourishment,” she said.

The Chief Executive Officer, T. Cynthia Nigeria Limited, a waste collection and recycling company, Mrs. Titilola Cynthia Saka, has turned solid waste and plastic management into a profitable business that generates employment opportunities for Nigerians. The social entrepreneur, who is also the president, Ota-Agbara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OTAGCCIMA), has been in the campaign for proper implementation of an environmentally-sound management of solid waste through the conversion of solid waste into useful materials. She shares her waste-to-wealth story with DANIEL ESSIET.

Within the recycling industry where she holds sway, social entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of T. Cynthia Nigeria Limited, a waste collection and recycling company, Mrs. Titilola Cynthia Saka, has managed to build a thriving and profitable business in recycling.

Her plant, at OPIC Estate, Agbara, Ogun State, has been recycling hundreds of metric tonnes of plastic waste yearly, turning used plastics into new products. Indeed, Mrs. Saka, who has never hidden her near-obsession with environmental protection through the adoption of proper solid waste and plastic management strategies, couldn’t have wished for a more-rewarding business

Through her company, which operates in two locations, that rely on a mix of local and foreign waste handling equipment, Mrs. Saka has been able to recycle various waste, including plastics which would have polluted landfills and streets, and turned them into different products.

Indeed, Mrs. Saka, who has been in the business for about 35 years, has been leading the charge in promoting garbage segregation among locals and enterprises, and adopting proper plastic management strategies. She has been part of meetings and programmes aimed at spread awareness and promote environmental protection.

For her, fighting plastic waste and environmental problems would help avoid burial of trash and overflowing landfills, improving the living environment and preventing water and soil contamination

Interestingly, Mrs. Saka’s relentless campaign for environmental protection via proper solid waste management appears to have paid off. So far, she has, by her  admission, seen signs of increasing adoption of waste management and recycling programmes among multinational corporations, for instance.

She said she sees recycling as an opportunity to clean the environment, conserve materials, save energy and reduce the amount of garbage in the landfills. Yet, what makes Mrs. Saka, a social entrepreneur, tick is how she has managed to translate her preoccupation and love for environmental protection into a thriving business in recycling.

Already, her ‘waste-to-wealth’ story has continued to challenge and inspire other existing and prospective start-ups and entrepreneurs especially women, partly because of how she built her business from the ground up, and also how the business has been providing livelihoods and opportunities for low-income families, with waste collectors paid based on how much plastic and sachet waste they collect per kilo.

Although, Mrs. Saka said she has been in the business since 1986, when she was a student of the College of Education in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, she said she took after her mother in building what eventually became an inspiring waste-to-wealth’ story.

She told The Nation that her mother, who is also a business woman, advised her to go into business when she was a student, seeing a great future as an entrepreneur than an employee.

“My mother used to be a business woman. She was a successful business woman who also dealt in factory waste materials, such as nylon and paper. She bought and sold them.

She collects recyclable waste from informal settlements, households and schools.

“Having seen the fortunes in the business, I was encouraged to go into it. And I started the business with savings from my bursary. To the glory of God, the business has grown in leaps and bounds,” Mrs. Saka narrated.

Continuing, the social entrepreneur said: “When I started, I used to pick some of the waste from the dump sites and residential homes. The activity encouraged many low-income people to collect plastic disposable wastes usually found on the streets and in public spaces.” She, however, added that the business now engages several full-time staff and part-time waste pickers.

The major sources of revenue, according to her, include sale of scrap materials, extracted metals and glass. She also said new machines have been brought into the factory to support the production of different plastic products, pointing out that her desire was to see projects that empower the informal sector and foster the circular economy.

For Mrs. Saka, recycling business turns problems into solutions, challenges into opportunities and converts trash into treasure. She said she is happy that more members of the private sector are coming into the recycling industry to create green, sustainable and decent jobs, noting that the business has grown to the point where manufacturers are also involved in the collection, recycling and disposal of waste.

It is easy to see why recycling business is a profitable venture for Mrs. Saka and indeed, others lucky to engage in it. According to her, economic growth, urbanisation, and tourism have led to a substantial increase in solid waste and plastics use over the years. 

However, as a result of low collection rate and inadequate treatment and disposal of waste, the dumping of waste and plastics in the environment and waterways, street littering, and the practice of burning have become widespread.  

Besides, by 2050, a whopping 1.33 billion people will inhabit African cities, including Nigeria where the pace of urbanisation is one of the fastest in the continent. And with this, according to experts, will come a seemingly daunting challenge of growing heaps of trash.

Scary as this environmental situation may be, it is somewhat blessing in disguise for Mrs. Saka, who has since found a creative way of turning waste management into a profitable business. She has since been drawing together business leaders and citizens with ambition to transform the way waste is used and disposed, and in the process, smiling to the bank.

However, Mrs. Saka’s successful entrepreneurial journey is not limited to waste management. She also made history when she became the first ever female President of Ota-Agbara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OTAGCCIMA), an affiliate of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

She is also the National Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the United Waste Recycling Association of Nigeria and has mentored several youths and young entrepreneurs in the business in a bid to contribute to the development of the society as well as keying into the initiative of converting waste to wealth.

Mrs. Saka has also been recognised at the Lion Club, where she has been an active player and was the President of the Lagos Apex Lion Club 2019 /2020. She was also the Zone Chair of district 404b2 of the Lion International Year 2021 and the chairman Entrepreneur and networking Committee.

That is not all. Mrs. Saka is also the Ogun State Coordinator of the NACCIMA Business Women Group (Ogun NAWORG) and member of the NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG)  and member of the Ogun State Council of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, where she once held the position of Treasurer.

She is  a member of the Ogun State Technical Committee and the Chair of the Igbesa Technical College, as well as an administrator and member of the Institute of Corporate Administration.

Mrs. Saka has been driving the campaign for an economy propelled by free enterprise, competitive markets, and rules-based trade and investment. For her, investing in a wide range of community-driven economic initiatives in partnership with states and localities would bolster socially inclusive growth. 

In doing so, she believes that the scale of investment needed for the proper implementation of an environmentally-sound management of solid waste is beyond the capacity of Nigeria and African countries, and this is why she has been seeking support both from the local and international community.

The support, according to her, should be on technology transfer, private sector investment and building the capacity of local institutions.

A strong advocate of women empowerment, Mrs. Saka has never wavered in her commitment to creating opportunities for women’s professional growth within the industry, where she has been encouraging more women to venture into recycling, for instance.

In addition to recycling, Mrs. Saka has taken courses on leadership, business management, and public speaking. And on the basis of her versed knowledge and expertise in these areas, she said she hopes to trains Nigerians to manage solid waste and turn them into micro-entrepreneurs.

Beyond advising aspiring young entrepreneurs on the verge of stepping into the recycling sector to “keep persevering,” the social entrepreneur, who has been promoting garbage segregation among locals and enterprises and adopting proper plastic management strategies, wants to see trash bins set up along beaches and tourist attractions and proper waste disposal areas to easily collect and sort plastic waste at source.

Blockchain Entrepreneur Linda Obi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AfriHealth Limited, a technology-driven healthcare solutions provider, aimed at ensuring easy access to quality and affordable healthcare in Africa. Driven by her passion for innovation, the opportunity to make an impact, and the desire to be part of an ever-evolving and exciting field, she shares the intriguing story of how she has been empowering several start-ups including women entrepreneurs in e-commerce, agriculture, and blockchain technology to achieve scale with DANIEL ESSIET.

The Nigerian tech sector has been remarkable, showcasing a vibrant and rapidly growing ecosystem that is driving innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing to the country’s economic development.

 The country is already well-positioned to capitalise on advancements in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics.

While these technologies, admittedly, have the potential to revolutionise various industries, creating new markets and job opportunities, and boosting the country’s global competitiveness, one of those helping Nigerians, particularly tech start-ups, entrepreneurs and investors stay ahead of the curve is Blockchain Entrepreneur/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AfriHealth Limited, Linda Obi.

Linda, who is a transformative CEO and thought leader with over 15 years of diverse experience, has helped scale start-ups in sectors such as Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), retail, agri-tech, e-commerce, and blockchain technology across emerging regions in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Yet, the amazon in Africa’s burgeoning tech space is not slowing down. The 2011 Bachelor’s degree holder in International Business, from Western Michigan University, is still roaring to go, spurred by her belief that there is still immense untapped potential waiting to be explored.

“While we have already witnessed the emergence of numerous impressive tech firms with innovative solutions in Nigeria and across Africa, I believe that there is still immense untapped potential waiting to be explored. The continent’s burgeoning tech ecosystem, coupled with its unique challenges and opportunities, creates an ideal environment for fostering further innovation and entrepreneurship,” she said.

While noting that Nigeria has witnessed a glimpse of the brightest tech firms with innovative solutions, Linda insisted that “the rapid growth of connectivity, mobile technology adoption, and a young, dynamic population are catalysts for more groundbreaking tech firms to emerge in the future.”

Moreover, African entrepreneurs, she said, in a tone that exuded so much confidence, possess a deep understanding of local contexts and are well-positioned to develop tailored solutions that cater to the specific needs of their communities.

Linda, who also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business Administration, Management and Operations, expressed optimism that by investing in education, digital infrastructure, and a supportive regulatory environment, African countries (Nigeria inclusive) can create a favorable ecosystem that encourages the growth of even more innovative tech firms.

“The brightest days for Africa’s technology landscape are yet to come, and as the continent continues to evolve and adapt to emerging technologies, we can expect to see more groundbreaking solutions that will positively impact the lives of millions of people, both within Africa and beyond,” the 2021 Diploma of Education holder in Blockchain and Digital Currency, from University of Cape Town, told The Nation.

Interestingly, Linda’s optimism and positive outlook for the tech industry are drawn from her game-changing exploits so far. For instance, at AfriHealth Limited, where she leads its dynamic team as CEO, with a mandate to create impactful, meaningful, and sustainable solutions that will revolutionise the industry and improve access for all, she has leveraging technology-enabled solutions to improve and democratise access to quality healthcare and ensure patient safety.

For instance, under her charge, AfriHealth recently unveiled a cutting-edge medical app called Rigour+, to help transform the African healthcare landscape by addressing critical challenges and providing convenience to citizens.The serialisation technology, Rigour+ for manufacturers was aimed at revolutionising the drug manufacturing and distribution industry in Nigeria and beyond.

The innovative solution was designed to address the pressing problem of drug counterfeiting, which, according to experts, costs the global pharmaceutical industry an estimated $200 billion yearly.

So, by implementing track and trace capabilities and proper serialisation, Rigour+ for manufacturers helps manufacturers and importers comply with regulatory requirements and improve the safety and quality of pharmaceutical products.

The technology includes geo-fencing solutions and location recall, which enable manufacturers to track products at every stage of the supply chain and recall products quickly and efficiently in the event of a problem.

The app’s scanning technology empowers users to make informed choices, ensuring they purchase only genuine products. This feature can significantly reduce the risk of adverse health effects and save lives by detecting fake or substandard medications.

“We believe this app has the potential to radically transform healthcare access for Nigerians, making it more accessible, convenient, and reliable than ever before,” Linda said, adding: “Rigour+ is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play Store.”

AfriHealth, The Nation learnt, envisioned Rigour+ as the catalyst for transforming healthcare access across Nigeria and the broader African continent. With the solution, patients can securely book video consultations with doctors, control video settings during calls, obtain prescriptions based on doctor consultations and store medical records electronically for easy access.

That’s not all. Patients “can also order medications directly through the app, complete payments securely, and receive deliveries at their preferred address. They can also use the app’s scanning feature to verify product integrity, detect counterfeit drugs. And returns and refunds are available when necessary.

Linda also said with the technology, patients can also request an ambulance during emergencies with just a few taps, adding that these features are accessible through a user-friendly interface that prioritised convenience and accessibility.

Beyond implementing cutting edge ideas to create both mobile and web based apps that provide real time healthcare solutions, AfriHealth, in Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, partners with pharmacies, hospitals, Health Management Organisations (HMOs), diagnostic centres, and ambulatory services.

The essence of such partnerships is to guarantee services and products specialised for meeting health needs, while fostering trust between healthcare service providers and consumers. “We firmly believe that technology should empower traditional health institutions to reach the unreached while enhancing the effectiveness of healthcare processes,” Linda emphasised.

A staunch believer in gender equality and women empowerment, Linda, by her  admission, has supported over 1,000 women in tech, and in the process, unlocking growth and innovation for all. She has never hidden her resolve to help increase women’s and girls’ participation in digital technology.

For instance, Linda said one campaign that particularly stands out to her for its portrayal of women and female empowerment, both in Nigeria and globally, is the ‘Girls in ICT Day’ initiative, which focused on inspiring and empowering young women to explore careers in the technology sector, challenging stereotypes, and breaking down barriers to entry.

‘Girls in ICT Day’- marked yearly on the fourth Thursday in April, by the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU), highlights the need to promote technology career opportunities for girls and women in ICT, the world’s fastest growing sector.

It was aimed at stressing the importance of girls in ICT and encouraging more girls and young women to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

The last edition of ‘Girls in ICT Day’, according to Linda, not only showcased the achievements and contributions of women in technology, but also provided workshops, mentorship, and opportunities for young women to develop essential skills, increase their confidence, and connect with like-minded individuals.

“The campaign’s emphasis on promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in the tech sector resonated with people worldwide, as it acknowledged the importance of empowering women to unlock their full potential and contribute to the development of innovative solutions,” she said.

Linda justified her commitment to women’s and girls’ empowerment thus: “Increasing women’s and girls’ participation in digital technology is crucial for economic growth, global sustainability, and fostering a diverse and inclusive tech industry. Empowering them with digital skills and opportunities leads to innovations that address a broader range of needs, benefiting society.

“Digital technology also plays a key role in tackling sustainability challenges like climate change and poverty. Prioritising education and skill development, creating supportive environments, and promoting gender equality will help unlock women’s and girls’ full potential, driving positive change and creating a more just, prosperous, and sustainable world for all.”

Effortlessly beautiful, hardworking and focused, with a calm disposition that belies her visibility and strong grip on a largely male-dominated tech industry, Linda tells whoever cares to listen that the tech space provides her with an ideal platform to apply her analytical and critical thinking skills to develop innovative solutions that could genuinely make a difference in people’s lives. 

“My motivation to enter the tech space stemmed from a deep curiosity about how technology could impact and improve our daily lives. I was always fascinated by the rapid advancements in technology and the potential for innovation to address pressing global challenges. This passion led me to explore and learn more about the industry, and I soon realised the incredible opportunities it offered for personal and professional growth,” she said.

Apart from Linda’s innate desire to solve problems and create meaningful solutions, the burgeoning tech amazon said the collaborative and dynamic nature of the tech industry attracted her. “It presented a chance for me to work with diverse teams, learn from others, and constantly challenge myself to grow and evolve.

“Ultimately, my motivation to enter the tech space was fueled by a combination of passion for innovation, the opportunity to make an impact, and the desire to be part of an ever-evolving and exciting field. And my rise in the industry was fueled by a passion for learning, building strong connections, facing challenges head-on, and collaborating with others.”

Narrating her career journey so far, Linda said: “My journey in the tech industry has been a blend of learning, networking, and embracing challenges. I’ve always been curious and eager to learn, so I constantly sought new skills and stayed updated on industry trends. Networking played a huge role, as I connected with like-minded people who shared insights and opportunities.

“Taking on challenges helped me grow and showcase my value, while focusing on problem-solving allowed me to create innovative solutions. Mentorship from experienced professionals gave me invaluable guidance, and teamwork was essential for achieving shared goals.”

Linda’s exploits are not without challenges though. “Throughout my career as a modern-day woman, venture builder, and mother, I have faced numerous personal sacrifices in pursuit of my dreams and ambitions. Balancing the demands of a thriving career with the responsibilities of motherhood has been a challenging yet rewarding journey,” she said.

The tech expert revealed that one of the key sacrifices she has made was the time she has had to spend away from her family, missing out on some of the precious moments and milestones in her children’s lives. “I’ve had to make difficult choices in prioritising work commitments over personal events, which has, at times, taken a toll on my relationships with loved ones,” she said.

Also, she said she has had to sacrifice personal leisure and self-care time, pushing herself to work long hours and dedicating her energy to building successful ventures. “This has often meant less time for hobbies, relaxation, and maintaining a strong social circle outside of my professional network,” Linda said.

She, however, said such sacrifices have taught her the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the power of grace under pressure. Her words: “I am proud of the career I have built and the positive impact I have made on the lives of others through my work.”  

Two talented and dynamic Nigerian female visual artists, Ayoola Oluwaseun Omovo and Adedoyin Adelani (Bello), have leveraged their creative strengths in silhouette painting and embroidery art to tell compelling stories. With many local and international exhibitions to their credit, the budding female artists are leaving nothing to chance in their quest to give a breath of fresh air to the Nigerian and global art world. A duet exhibition organised in Lagos, last week, entitled: “Vivid Delight”, was yet another opportunity to reaffirm their dominance in the art industry. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports.

They leveraged their creative talent, focus and sheer determination to challenge the gender bias and prejudices that hold women in virtually all fields of human endeavour, including arts, down, or at best, consigned to playing second fiddle to their male counterparts.

  Today, with their awe-inspiring art pieces that show images of their minds that art critics, collectors, and art enthusiasts can almost touch, two prominent Nigerian female visual artists, Ayoola Oluwaseun Omovo and Adedoyin Adelani N. (Bello), are not only contributing significantly to the appreciation of feminine art, but also giving their male counterparts a run for their creativity.

Ayoola is a silhouette painter and part-time visual art instructor at Lycee Francais Louis Pasteur (French School). She studied Fine Art, first at the Institute of Arts, Oregun, Lagos (2000-2002), where she was the only female student in a class of 10 students, before she proceeded to the University of Benin, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine and Applied Art, in 2006, with emphasis on Art Education. There, a lecturer called Bardi was instrumental to her discovery of her black and white oils on canvas technique and style, which she has been working with and evolving till today.

Ayoola is also the Vice Chairperson of the Lagos Chapter of the Society of Nigerian Artists (S.N.A). She was the Co-ordinator for the Southwest Zone of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) for five years, as well as the  winner of the ‘2023 Circle of Art Germany Residency Competition’ in Lagos, recently. It was the latest achievement of the renowned artist, who, by her differentiating painting approach of utilising ‘Black and White’ ink form achieved vibrant expressive artistic outcomes and in so doing, carved a niche for herself in the art business.

Ayoola treasures the role women and children play in the life of the society. Her artworks capture the ordinary lifestyle, the eccentric and whatever is made out of caring in the rural and urban cities. Hers is a digital art-form, which takes a sketch and creates a silhouette of colours, and forms a beautiful character. Capturing shapes and colours that portrays a character instead of lines is what makes silhouette paintings so unique. And the end result of Ayoola’s works is that they are fresh and clean.

On the other hand, Adedoyin, a painter and embroider, started by exploring different art medium before she discovered her strength in embroidery art (needle and thread painting). Arguably, an art medium that is not for the faint heart, Adedoyin’s embellishment technique and stitches are flawless, creating an ambience that is smooth in appearance. Her silk has the highest sheen and gives quality to her work.

Adedoyin’s works leap out of their frames such that art lovers can embrace them from both sides of the canvas and this is a big plus for the young and gifted artist. “My goal is to communicate complex emotions through my works and visually express desires. Through my style, technique, and colour choices, the audience can connect on a deeper level and experience enriched emotions,” the seasoned painter and embroider declared.

Adedoyin, from Ogun State, but born in Lagos State, earned a National Diploma (ND) in Mass Communication, but to feed her passion for the creative art, she enrolled for Art & Industrial Design in Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, where she also obtained National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Painting. She found her strength in embroidery art in the course of her exploration, and has had 14 local and international exhibitions since 2017.

Interestingly, the two frontline and dynamic female artists, Ayoola and Adedoyin, met about 10 years ago, at Nike Art Gallery and became friends. Apparently drawn by the beauty and allure of their artworks, Nike Art Gallery has reportedly been promoting the duo ever since. In fact, The Nation learnt that this was where Nike Davies-Okundaye, also known as Nike Okundaye, the well-known practising female artists in Nigeria and abroad, introduced Professor Ebunoluwa Clark to Adedoyin and her embroidery works.

Incidentally, Prof. Clark, a major art collector, is said to have been collecting Adedoyin’s works since that chance introduction. It was also there that the idea of exposing Adedoyin and her bosom friend, Ayoola, began. And the result was last week’s staging of the duet exhibition of silhouette paintings and embroidery artworks by Ayoola and Adedoyin. The exhibition, which held on Tuesday, May 16, at the popular Didi Museum, in Victoria Island, Lagos, was entitled: ‘Vivid Delight.’

Ayoola and Adedoyin, from their childhood and schooling days, have always been very determined and audacious. Their single-minded focus to become successful artists has never been in doubt, and this has been evident and proven in the high quality and originality of their works. Some of their art pieces on display cost between N800, 000 and N1.2 million, especially the embroidery art, which, according to Adedoyin, took no less than three months to complete.

Unsurprisingly, the tenacity and creativity of the two female artists inspired and convinced Professor Clark, a famous Nigerian Professor of the Dramatic Arts, who has tutored many generations of students, to sponsor and bankroll the duet exhibition to make the dream of both female artists come true.

The Exhibition Curator/Art Consultant, Moses Ohiomokhare, described the array of eye-popping artworks by Ayoola and Adedoyin as “awe-inspiring,” noting that “the exhibition promises to give a breath of fresh air to our art world.” As he pointed out, “Vivid Delight was a product of several months of preparation and research work to show images of the female artists’ minds that you can almost touch. They are happy to communicate emotions and celebrate the human.”

Ohiomokhare said he ran into Adedoyin’s works at the residence of Prof. Clark, and there, the idea of exposing her and her friend, Ayoola began. “Indeed, the burning desire to exhibit these female artists was strong because of their marital status. As soon as female visual artists get married in this part of the world, due to cultural restraints, the desire to continue in the profession begins to wane, but these ladies have shown great character and contributed significantly to an appreciation of feminine art.

“The ladies needed sponsorship and Prof. Clark gave financial backing to make their dream come true. I see this as the beginning of giving these ladies a voice to showcase their talent as well as stimulate other female aspiring artists to get to work. We hope their natural capacities can be appreciated, and their visibility will be encouraged by art critics, collectors, and art enthusiasts,” the veteran curator told The Nation.

Both in their early 40s, Ayoola and Adedoyin are happily married and are mothers. They also run their art studios with the help of their supportive and understanding spouses. Their remarkable grit, focus, courage and hunger for greatness and success were too evident in the duet exhibition, ‘Vivid Delight.’ And the show, according to Ohiomokhare and other art experts, is a turning point and life-changing experience in their art practices and career.

The Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) is an indigenous Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) focused on driving behaviour change by leveraging evidence and research to develop campaigns and programmes geared towards contributing to development in Nigeria. The Centre’s work, according to its pioneer Executive Director, Babafunke Fagbemi, focuses on the role of strategic communication in impacting behaviours change, brands building and enhancement of technical leadership. The pharmacist-turned social impact communication specialist shares her 30 years’experience working in social and behaviour change with DANIEL ESSIET.

Her ambition is to become the centre of excellence in strategic communication in Africa, particularly in the area of driving social and behaviour change. But for the remarkable drive, interest and passion of its pioneer Executive Director, Babafunke Fagbemi, in supporting change and driving improvement, the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), an indigenous Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) focused on driving behaviour change, would probably not have inched closer to achieving that ambition.

Babafunke, a 1989 Pharmacy graduate, from University of Ibadan (UI), has brought her nearly 30 years’wealth of experience working in the space of social and behaviour change to bear in positioning CCSI, which started as the Centre for Communication Programs Nigeria (CCPN), as a reference point in strategic communication in Africa.

Already, CCSI, under her charge, has become the biggest contributor to the body of research and programming that helps to develop and define communication strategies to implement and monitor health and social development programmes that improve the quality of life of Nigerians.

The Centre, The Nation learnt, was birthed by the John Hopkins Centre for Communication Programmes in Baltimore in 2001. It has, however, been operating and working in the space of social and behaviour change in Nigeria for over 15 years. But before Babafunke, who worked for a few years as a pharmacist before and diversified into public health through the channel of communication, was inspired to assume the role of steering the ship at CCSI, the organisation, according to her, “only existed on paper.” But her passion and drive has since given the Centre more mileage and visibility.

Evidences of CCSI’s footprints in its space are quite glaring. Babafunke, who went back to the university to study Communication Art at the postgraduate level, and a couple of years after, earned a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Liverpool in London, said, for instance, that under her watch, the Centre has intervened in health programmes like malaria, family planning, nutrition, water and sanitation, agriculture, violence against children, women and girls, tuberculosis, and neglected Tropical diseases to name a few.

“In addition, we have extended the principles of Social and Behavior Change (SBC) for thematic areas outside health in the social development space such as anti-corruption, good governance and peace and conflict resolution and also contributed to the body of work in anti-trafficking. CCSI has a strong media and research arm that lead and lay a solid foundation in media, design and evidence generation for all we do,” Babafunke stated, adding that CCSI’s work is centered around the role of strategic communication to impact behaviours, build brands and provide technical leadership in its field.

The social impact communication specialist also leads the Centre in the provision of  oversight and technical direction and guidance for the work it does. She also manages CCSI’s portfolios, securing the business and working with the people. “I was inspired to come into this role because of my drive, interest and passion in supporting change, driving improvement and contributing to making sure that we make our environment and community a better place,” Babafunke, who is a mother of three young adults, said.

Giving more insight into what inspired her to veer into this space, she said: “I also wanted to serve the underprivileged, and I have a passion and interest in supporting the elimination all forms of injustice and unfairness and just creating a level playing ground for all citizens that belong to this country that we all love and we call Nigeria, whether you are Christian or Muslim, young or old, boy or girl, man or woman and educated or not, just contributing my quota to making sure we make Nigeria a better place. I also want to leave a legacy in developing the capacity of the next generation.”

A social entrepreneur, Babafunke has always been motivated by the idea of running a sustainable business. She also believes that women particularly those in top management positions are positive role models who can help other women become better leaders and business managers. For her, the participation and advancement of women is not just an aspiration, but an imperative for the betterment of business and society.

Babafunke sees social entrepreneurship as a millennial business model approach that business entrepreneurs and social enterprises should deploy to solve environmental, cultural, and social problems in their communities. She also believes that there is a strong relationship between social entrepreneurship, Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing.

Accordingly, she has been encouraging companies to contribute to building economies by creating jobs and allocating funds to increase community’s economic growth. “Its a cause very close to my heart,” she said.

Encouraged by what she has achieved so far, Babafunke is already gearing up for more exploits “A few years down the line, I see our organisation consolidated. Our reputation is really spreading even beyond the shores of Nigeria as a social and behavior change organisation of choice and as a premium partner to consider.

“I see the influence of the work we do touching thousands of people who benefit from our regular leadership workshops. I see CCSI mentoring the next generation of young leaders who are interested in honing their skills in the space of communication,” she told The Nation.

The social impact communication specialist also said she sees the Centre’s research base expanding, with CCSI contributing so much in terms of evidence and body of knowledge in research. As she stated: “We have a couple of publications to our name. So just as an organisation in line with our vision to become a centre of excellence for social and behavior change, not only in Nigeria but in the African continent and beyond.

“Our strategic plan will explore venturing into additional thematic areas such as climate action and food security with a focus on the priorities of behavioral science, diversity, equity and inclusion, digital communication, media partnerships and social protection.”

However, Babafunke’s successes did not come without initial challenges. “It really was a bit challenging at the beginning. It was interesting and a bit frustrating too,” she admitted. But the challenges were nothing she could not handle or surmount. Her words: “Honestly, I actually did have all the support I needed from our colleagues from the Centre for Communication Programs based in Baltimore.

 “They provided as much technical assistance as was possible. They also supported with the development of some of our tools, provided hands-on support. And, in fact, the first activity we had in Nigeria as an indigenous local organisation, which was the leadership training in strategic communication that we conduct for professionals in the health communications space, was done in conjunction with the faculty from Baltimore.”

Babafunke said although, there were so many uncertainties as a start up, she had to navigate the landscape when the funding was not there. “We navigated the landscape when there seemed to be so much competition and it was difficult to stay afloat. Trying to build a reputation just to have some record of accomplishment that can serve as a negotiating tool and evidence of our capability while exploring other opportunities for partnership was not easy, but God really helped us,” she said.

She also attributed her success to divine intervention. “God has been super faithful. I doubt if I will even have the opportunity to grant this interview if God had not really helped me. So, I owe a lot to God’s mercy,” she said, pointing out that “in addition to all that, I had a lot of support from my family. I wasn’t held back from exploring all the opportunities, exploring my potential, doing my best.”

She stated that she had enough help with her children because at a point in time, all her three children were all under the age of five and that was when she was budding in her career as a young woman. “I had a lot of support from my family. I had a lot of support from the networks that I was just privileged to belong to. I had a lot of mentors who were willing to hold my hand, direct me on the way to go, who were willing to listen without judgment,” Babafunke added.

Driven by her passion to contribute to development in Nigeria, doing her bit either at individual level, at institutional level, organisational level, and in different spheres where she is privileged to find herself, Babafunke gave thumbs up for her highly dedicated and motivated staff and other team members. Her words: “I really want to thank the team I have been working with from inception and up until now. Honestly, the team I have, they are just the most important asset. And they are a very huge contributing factor in the success that we can claim today.

“So, I have been blessed to have people who joined my team, became committed, loyal and passionate. They bought into the vision and together we are creating a dynasty, an empire that we know will last. It will even outlive and outlast us together. We make mistakes together, we learn together. We rejoice when we are successful. So, I really want to give a lot of credit to the staff, the stakeholders that we have worked with closely on this journey.”

Noting that at the apex of every organisation, good governance plays a critical role, she also said she has been blessed with a supportive and responsive Board of Trustees. “These highly experienced individuals are from a diverse background with relevant expertise. They provide leadership and strategic direction. Indeed, they have and continue to play a key role in CCSI’s stability, they are just the angels that calm the storm and make sure that there is actually no storm,” Babafunke said.

Does the expert sometimes feel intimidated in her chosen field because of her gender? Her response: “I really cannot say that I have faced a lot of barriers just because I am a female. Rather, I will say by occupying this position as a female, I have other colleagues in the same industry that we see eye to eye, and we encourage ourselves. So, in terms of gender-related roadblocks, it probably could be things like stereotypes for example when you’re relating within a group and the perception that people have about your capability or your ability to do something simply because you’re a woman or just by basically sizing you up.”

Continuing, perhaps on a lighter note, she said: “Because my name is Babafunke, it seems a bit confusing for people because the first impression when they hear that name is, oh, it is a man. So, usually, the bias in that mind is, oh, we are going to meet a man. And another thing on the light side is sometimes when I speak on the phone and when people meet me, they keep asking, are you the same person I spoke with on the phone? And the reason is because they said no, the voice sounds like, you know, they expect someone who is large, who is big and tall well, sorry to disappoint you, this is the package and this is who I am.”

She recalled an experience when she was left at the airport in Uganda for longer than was necessary because the driver that had her name on the placard dropped it because he did not see a man. “I arrived for a programme in Malawi and the receiving officer asked straight up, “Please, who are you? We are expecting Babafunke…” I am not sure I can say that I have been stopped in my tracks because of gender-related roadblocks,” stated.