Women especially housewives in the hinterlands and Niger Delta are said to have found new opportunity in non-commercial export.

The women’s wing of the Institute of Export Operations and Management (IEOM) headed by Mercy Odibe, is said to be pioneering the drive to bring in more women into the sub-sector that can help women earn from $500 (N750,000) per month.

Giving details, the executive secretary of IEOM, Ofon Udofia, explained that non-commercial export is any export between one and 30kg. He said the business is most suited for women and wives. He said: “If a woman is trading in this category and is able to raise up to $500 per month as profit, that will be a big career.”

On how to start, he said most women may forget that they have relations and friends outside Nigeria. “You do a list of them and build your export contact base. The Igbo people have town unions all over the world. So, women who participate in ‘August Meeting’ can explore the opportunity to build contacts and begin to export.”

He said Ghanaians export kente cloth. “Anambra women like ogiri soup. It falls under what we call ‘cosine without bothers’. You create how to introduce this soup to others and create a market from it. So, this creates a platform for women to join and become self-reliant.”

Udofia mentioned significant achievements by the women division of the IEOM, saying they have been training and equipping women in export. He said they successfully trained 10 to be unveiled at the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration by the institute in Port Harcourt.

He said the women division guides the women and guide them on how to start with non-commercial export. “Their capital may not be adequate for commercial export so we show them and guide them on non-commercial level of export trade; how to engage the Diaspora business community.

“Now, we seek partners to develop women in export because when you empower a woman, you empower a nation.”

Udofia said whatever involves women takes pre-eminence. “They are always put first. Thus, the UN took out a day in March every year to celebrate women. So, we in the Institute of Export Operations and Management (IEOM) decided to also take our own date to celebrate women by awarding them and highlighting them especially women in export trade. We also train them free and boost their earning. The award is to thank them for efforts so far but to encourage them to do more.

“If any country wants to achieve peace, it must start by building women because they are closer to the children who form the youths. If women are doing well economically and influence their children better, the insecurity level in the country will drastically be reduced.”

Addressing the audience at the IWD of the IEOM 2025, Mercy Odibe harped on the theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, saying it is a powerful call to move beyond words and into meaningful, transformative change. “While we have seen progress in women’s rights, leadership, and opportunities, there is still much work to be done. Gender inequality persists in workplaces, homes, and societies, and the time for incremental steps has passed. Now is the time for bold, decisive actions.”

She said it was in alignment with this vision of the IWD that the IEOM took a concrete step forward by organizing a capacity-building programme on food processing for export for some women. “This initiative is not just about skills development, it is about economic empowerment, financial independence, and positioning women as key players in the global trade sector.”

Odibe touched areas of challenges for women such as wage gaps but observed that by equipping Nigerian women with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the export sector, “We are ensuring that they are not just participants in economic activities but leaders in shaping international trade.

This initiative is a blueprint for sustainable empowerment, proving that when we invest in women, we invest in stronger communities and economies.

“Today, I challenge each of us, governments, organizations, communities, and individuals, to commit to real, tangible steps that drive progress.”

She mentioned four key areas women can take action to excel including at the workplace, education sector, societies (where they must challenge norms), and in trade/entrepreneurship (by creating more opportunities for women to access global markets, funding, and training programmes). She said the time for waiting is over. “The time for change is now. Let us not just celebrate women today, let us commit to building a world where women thrive every day.”

In her keynote, Dr Vetty Agala, Acting Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Insurance Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala told the story of the ‘Moimoi Queen’ in Lagos that is now exporting it abroad, saying it was a story of resilience of the Nigerian woman.

Closer home in Port Harcourt, she told of another woman who she said started cooking ogbono soup using a family recipe. “It was just a small business at first. But today, her products are on the shelves in Lagos, London, and New York.”

Reminding women that ‘Accelerate Action’ isn’t just a catchy phrase but a wake-up call, Agala said right now, women contribute 37% to global gross domestic product, yet they control less than 20% of the world’s wealth. In Nigeria, she stated, only 15% of export businesses are run by women.

“These numbers tell a story. A story of talent, drive, and innovation that have not been fully realized. But today, we are changing that narrative.

“Over the past two days, I have seen women take charge of their futures; learning, innovating, and preparing to take their businesses to global markets. I had the privilege of interacting with these women, and I have no doubt that by this time next year, many of them will have expanded beyond Nigeria, proving that when we invest in women, we invest in economic growth.”

She thanked those supporting the initiative such as the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute for their dedication to equipping women with the knowledge and tools to scale their businesses.

She offered motivations to the women and said the awards by IEOM were to boost the determination of woman that have achieved. “You are enough, just as you are. Take that step. Start that business. Push for that promotion. Speak up in that meeting. Accelerate action.”

She noted that the barriers may be real, but so is the power of the women. “Let’s be real. The challenges are still there. Women are still paid less than men for the same work. Women are still underrepresented in boardrooms and leadership. Cultural norms still tell women to ‘stay in their place.’ But let’s ask ourselves:
What if every policy prioritized women’s access to funding? What if every community made sure girls went to school? What if every one of us mentored just one woman? We wouldn’t just close the gender gap, we would change the game entirely.”

Giving a charge for action, Agala said: “To Governments: Make funding accessible for women-led businesses. To Businesses: Invest in partnerships with female entrepreneurs. To Communities: Celebrate and support women’s achievements loudly. To Every Woman Here: Advocate for yourself. Seek knowledge. Take action. And to the awardees and trainees: You are the future. You are the game-changers. Use the media to make your businesses visible. The world needs to see you! And one more thing—prioritize your health. Get health insurance. A healthy woman is an unstoppable woman.”