SME 100 Nigeria urges women to be innovative

The US Consulate General, Lagos in partnership with SME 100 Nigeria, held a workshop on International Women’s Day at the US Consulate with the theme “Celebrating Women in Business and the Labour Force: Overcoming Challenges.”

The lecture was aimed at celebrating womenfolk and appreciating their efforts. Participants at the event included women in business and others from different walks of life.

In his address, US Consul General, Mr John Bray, said that women have equal access to equal opportunities and entrepreneurial development, harness of innovation for economic empowerment. He encouraged women to be bold for change. “Positive change can be achieved if women have equal access to economic empowerment because it is a smart investment.”

The keynote speaker Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Chairperson Access Bank Nigeria, spoke on “Cultivating an Innovative Culture in Challenging Times.” She emphasised on the need for business owners to be innovative in order to stay ahead and progress in the growing economic world of today. She also gave the participants guidelines on how to be innovative.

“You have to ensure that your innovation is scalable so that it can be sustainable. You have to be current and confident in your ability. Your innovation has to meet a need. Move away from the traditional bureaucratic corporate culture and instead foster an agile mindset where we empower employees to try new, big, bold ideas. Accept mistakes as part of business. You must identify them early and use those learning to create solutions that will set your business apart. Challenges make us more responsible. Don’t give up,’ Belo-Olusoga advised women.

Mosunmola Umoru, Technical Adviser, (Youth & Gender), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, told women to believe in themselves and be trailblazers. “We as women must always work at leaving a legacy. Surround yourself with good resource and have a mentor to guide you through.”

The Executive Director of SME100 Nigeria, Charles Odii unveiled the 100 Talks projects aimed at profiling 100 young entrepreneurs in Nigeria where they will share their entrepreneurial journey.