The March Edition of SME360 Magazine focuses on celebrating female entrepreneurs in line with International Women’s Day. As a result, we were privileged to interview 6 amazing female entrepreneurs running their businesses in Nigeria. In this post, we provide you a summary of each of these interviews.

Renee Chuks – Aldente Africa
Renee Oluwaseun Chuks is the co-founder of Aldente Africa, a hospitality and food product development company. This company seeks to serve humanity through food and food product development.

There are several product offerings by this company including “Aldente Premium Fresh Pasta.” This product is manufactured from local crops. It prides itself as the first gluten-free pasta and noodles brand in Nigeria and Africa owned by Africans. The company also runs several other projects including the Umami Center for Culinary Arts located in Lagos

Despite being registered in 2017, the business made its big hit during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Renee recounts the need to eliminate GMO food products as the motive behind this business. The unique selling point of Aldente African is producing food from locally grown food crops. Another factor that contributes to their uniqueness is the fact that the products are 99% handmade.

The major challenge they have encountered is raising funds as a female-owned outfit. Thankfully, bodies like Shecluded have been of tremendous help. Her advice to budding female entrepreneurs is to focus on achieving their business goals. In her words, “International Women’s Day helps to solidify the strength of women and how much power we have once we come together.”

Omobolanle Odelana-Ogbamola – Moogbams Feedmills, Tripplemos Smoked Catfish, Mobpackaging
Omobolanle Odelana-Ogbamola is a mother of 3 girls and also manages 3 businesses. She holds a Master’s Degree in Managerial Psychology from the University of Ibadan as well as other certificates. Over the years, Omobolanle has stamped her authority on the Nigerian business scene as a staunch businesswoman as well as a philanthropist.

She started Moogbams Feedmills in 2013 because of her passion for agriculture, one she developed while working in the bank. Her other business ideas all branch from this idea. She sees her focus on the post-production stages of the value chain as her unique selling across the three businesses. As such, she has carved a niche for herself by producing top-quality feed that is packaged attractively.

ome of the challenges she has faced include fraud, unavailability of power, and lack of access to funds. While the business could have shut down from these, her passion for the business and having God on her side kept her going. In rounding up, she encouraged female entrepreneurs to learn to reset, restart, and refocus. Here’s what she had to say about International Women’s Day, “It is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by women.”

Temitayo Amushan – Motoya Kouture
Temitayo Amushan hails from Modakeke-Ife in Osun State. She is a single mother of a beautiful daughter and also the founder and creative director of Motoya Kouture. Her fashion brand focuses on designing exquisite wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, reception dresses, and clothing for special occasions.

Temitayo has been in business for about 10 years but she set up Motoya Kouture only 5 years ago. According to her, she began this business after helping a friend out with her wedding wear. She regards credibility and integrity as her business’ unique selling points. Temitayo regards stigmatization of Nigerian brands as the major challenge she has faced in growing her brand. Another challenge she has faced is raising funds for the business.

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