Women entrepreneurs have been urged to build businesses anchored on vision, values, and long-term impact rather than mere profit.
The call was made during the Leadership Transition & Growth Forum (Executive Handover Ceremony) of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Alumnae Association (AWEAA), held in Lagos.
Outgoing president of the association, Mrs. Adebisi Moore, in her address, said what began in 2023 as a modest vision to connect women who had passed through the AWE program has now evolved into a strong ecosystem of impact-driven entrepreneurs.
She noted that the AWE Alumni Association has exceeded its targets within two years by creating access to markets, funding, and international exposure for its members through partnerships with public and private institutions. These include the United States government, UNDP, UN Women,
SMEDAN, NEPC, JEM, LSETF, and financial institutions such as Fidelity Bank, Providus Bank, and Optimus Bank.
According to Moore, the partnerships have opened new doors of opportunity for women-led businesses. She recalled how the association collaborated with Fidelity Bank and the U.S. Consulate to participate in an international trade exhibition in Houston, Texas, which provided members with access to global markets and business opportunities.
She said some members had also benefitted from low-interest funding through Optimus Bank and international certifications such as FDA and HACCP through the International Trade Centre. Moore cited several success stories, including women whose businesses recorded over 150 per cent revenue growth after taking part in the academy’s programmes and trade exhibitions in Kenya, Rwanda, Algeria, and the United States.
“For us, AWEAA is not just another women’s group. It is a movement of women who dare to dream, build, and lead. What started as an idea has become a force,” Moore said.
Founder of LELOOKS Nigeria Ltd, Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, urged women to see business as a purpose-driven venture that must solve real problems. She described business as “war,” emphasising the need for resilience, adaptability, and discipline among entrepreneurs.
Ezenwa, who started her enterprise in 1985 after returning from Canada, explained that her motivation was not profit but the need to create opportunities for her siblings living with disabilities. She urged women to build businesses that outlive them, founded on strong values, integrity, and a clear vision.
She warned against poor financial management, saying that lack of discipline and mismanagement, not limited access to funding, is the main challenge for most small businesses. “Access to finance is not the problem; mindset is. If your values are wrong, the money will vanish,” she said.
Ezenwa also stressed the importance of quality assurance, customer service, teamwork, and professionalism. She urged women entrepreneurs to embrace innovation, build strong teams, and remain customer-focused, noting that “how you treat your customers determines how far your business will go.”
While encouraging women to adopt wellness habits and avoid distractions from social media, Ezenwa also called for a return to moral values and cultural decency in entrepreneurship. “Our values have dropped. As women, we must uphold integrity, discipline, and modesty. Excuses are another word for failure,” she added.
Incoming president, AWEAA, Victoria Ajayi explained that the academy consists of women who have gone through the AWE programme, an initiative of the White House, United States. The women come together after numerous trainings to support the building of their enterprise.
She said the new administration is looking to harness the wealth of knowledge that exists within the Academy, amplify their stories and share opportunities that would drive businesses forward. She encouraged female entrepreneurs, saying that their business empowers people, while urging them to leverage opportunities.
The event ended with the inauguration of new AWE executives, as members pledged to sustain the vision of empowering women to lead purpose-driven businesses.
