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By Merit Ibe
Globally, social scientists identify women as a vast yet underutilised source of talent.
In Nigeria, this potential is gradually being realised, as women continue to make significant contributions to the manufacturing sector, despite facing persistent structural and policy challenges.
Industry stakeholders maintain that promoting inclusive policies, improving workplace conditions, and ensuring equitable opportunities can drive innovation, boost productivity, and strengthen the sector’s overall performance.
According to data from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), women make up between 35 and 40 per cent of Nigeria’s manufacturing workforce. The sector itself contributes about 9 to 10 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring its role in economic diversification and job creation.
Although manufacturing in Nigeria has traditionally been male-dominated, more women are breaking into the space. However, many say their contributions are often overlooked, as they face challenges that limit their growth and advancement.
Women manufacturers who spoke with Daily Sun called for improved access to opportunities, fair treatment, and targeted incentives such as tax reliefs to encourage greater participation. They also stressed the importance of education, mentorship, and stronger government backing to help women build and expand sustainable manufacturing businesses.
In her comments, the Lagos Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Gertrude Akhimien, said the number of women in the sector remains relatively small.
According to her, many women are discouraged from entering manufacturing because of the significant capital requirements, including equipment and infrastructure.
She explained that limited access to bank financing further compounds the challenge, making it difficult for many women to start or expand manufacturing ventures.
Akhimien noted that NASSI has been encouraging women entrepreneurs to start small while advocating for government-backed grants and low-interest loans to support them.
She also stressed the importance of mentorship, noting that the limited number of successful women manufacturers makes it harder for younger women to envision themselves in the sector.
To address this gap, she called for incentives such as tax rebates for women in production as well as easier access to land ownership documentation, including Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), which are often difficult to obtain.
She encouraged young women not to be intimidated by large industrial players, noting that many successful entrepreneurs started small before expanding their businesses.
Akhimien added that women-led manufacturing enterprises often create employment within their communities, thereby contributing to wealth creation and poverty reduction.
“I think women are usually not bold enough to venture into manufacturing because of the high risk involved. They need capital to go into manufacturing as they need equipment, structure on ground like assets. A lot of women don’t have that, as such they are discouraged to get in. Most men have these assets and huge capital to delve into the sector.
“Due to the difficulty accessing bank facilities, it is hard for women to really raise the capital for starting such a manufacturing firm. We are trying to encourage women in NASSI to start small, no matter how small. We also try to see how the government can give them grants at low interest rates or single digit rates.
“We have few women who are doing very well in manufacturing that can be mentors. Since there are not many women who have made it in manufacturing, it’s difficult for our young women to imagine they can do it. The association keeps pressing on women who are succeeding to mentor these younger women who are coming up so they too can succeed in manufacturing.
“The government can help us. The interest rate should be low so that it does not eat into the profit margin. These are what we advocate for.
“In the area of the land use Act, the government needs to make it easier for women to be able to perfect their land ownership because it’s so difficult getting a C of O in Nigeria. If women can achieve this, it will be great.
“I advise younger women to start small. They should not be intimidated by the ‘Dangotes.’ I advise that women should not be afraid of the terrain. It’s a challenging one but people should look up to it and try to overcome it.
“So, the more women go into production or manufacturing, you will be sure there will be an increase in employment and job creation, they help their husbands and this will boost the economy. When the uncertainty that shows up sometimes when men lose their jobs or businesses, the women can be there to uphold the family from going down the drain of poverty. “When you have more women in manufacturing, because women are good at involving their children, friends and community in their businesses, they create wealth for that community. There will be that spiral effect.
“Women are critical to filling the unemployment gap and the government needs to empower them to do so. We must also reduce the barriers for women in manufacturing in accessing funds from financial institutions for those who want to transit from paid jobs to manufacturing and for those already in the sector and would want a boost.
“I also encourage women to join associations because no business succeeds in isolation. They need to join associations to help them boost their trade. At the early stage of business sometimes it’s very difficult, but together, you can sail through. When you are in the midst of industrialists, you share your concerns, worries and questions. Together as a formidable force you can advocate and challenge the government on the status quo on any area of need. No matter the manufacturing concern, women need partners or cooperatives to be able to achieve success in manufacturing.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FAE Limited, Layo Bakare-Okeowo, described the increasing presence of women in manufacturing as encouraging.
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She noted that although the sector still has a large gender gap, women are gradually establishing themselves as strong players in the industry.
Bakare-Okeowo said women entrepreneurs often demonstrate passion and resilience, qualities that enable them to succeed despite challenges.
She identified issues such as collateral requirements, access to credit, and boardroom intimidation as some of the barriers women face.
According to her, government-backed loan guarantees could significantly improve women’s access to financing and enable them to establish factories, expand production, and create employment opportunities.
She also called for improvements in Nigeria’s business environment, noting that many manufacturers struggle due to regulatory inefficiencies, foreign exchange scarcity, and high production costs.
“When you look at women, they are very passionate about whatever they are doing. Because of the gender disparity, we want to strive to go the extra mile, that is why whatever we do, we succeed in it.
“Women have become leading industry players in different sectors, which were for long the preserve of men – including manufacturing. The industry needs to send out the right message that women can and do succeed in manufacturing.
“The number of women in manufacturing is low compared to men. I will say the ratio of women to men in manufacturing is 1 to 10, but if we make up our minds to increase in number, we will, as long as the will is there.
“Though the issue of gender disparity in the manufacturing sector is glaring, women in the sector or business manage better than men.
Apart from women in manufacturing, ask me of any woman that borrowed and did not pay. Even banks acknowledge that most women in SMEs when they have 100 clients, with 50 men and 50 women, its only 20 out of the men that pay back, but the 50 women will pay back. Women are always careful and passionate about what they do.
“On the collateral aspect, as wives and mothers, we spend time nursing our children and building the home front for the men, so, where do we get this collateral from? The government should guarantee these loans to some extent, for women to thrive in business generally. When they get these loans, they are established, build more factories and employ more youths, thereby reducing the rate of unemployment. Women companies create more jobs.
“Boardroom intimidation when it comes to women is one of the challenges, but we will not surrender as women. I think things are getting better now than before.
“My advice for younger women is that they should not get intimidated, but should look at manufacturing as a mountain that can be surmounted. If the young women get discouraged, they will fall back to the kitchen, but if you persevere and get to the top, it’s cool up there.
We need to be at the forefront of being major drivers of the economy. Get the best education you can to fit into any position conveniently.
“For me as a manufacturer, the journey has not been smooth but I believe I’m better now. By God’s grace, FAE is the largest manufacturer of envelopes in Nigeria. We are doing well. Passion drives me.
“As a manufacturer, when there is a problem or issue in the industry, you stay back and sort it out and never run away. I’ve never had any problem I could not overcome.
“The sound of the machines in my factory gives me joy. That is the passion for manufacturing. If I’m just a normal business woman, I might decide to quit, but as an industrialist, who has passion for the job, you remain and slug it out.
“I want the government to have the political will to hire and to fire. We all know that there is a scarcity of foreign exchange (FOREX). In manufacturing we should be looking inwards, that is backward integration. All our machines are imported. Whatever machines are being used in Europe, we have them here. Our problem here is the conducive environment, that is why manufacturers have issues in the country. The business environment is not friendly. Many government parastatals are not doing what they are supposed to do, but because they know they can always get away with whatever they do, they have continued. Manufacturers are at the mercy of these government agencies. So, the government should fire anyone not doing the right thing. Our graduates are job seekers now, they are not lazy, but no industries to employ them. Manufacturers cannot employ them when the business environment is not favourable and the turnover low. If there is a conducive environment, our professionals will remain and employment will improve”, she stated.
Ugochi Ugochukwu, the Chief Executive Officer, Transformed Ladies Forum, highlighted the need for women to be supported by the government through funding so they can stand financially in business.
She said women-led businesses are increasingly driving innovation, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
To her, the woman is strong naturally all she needs is a push through encouragement, funding, incentives among others.
“The government has to make the business environment conducive for them to thrive.
“I encourage every woman to be strong and move into business with boldness. You need education, training and skill to keep your heads high no matter the challenges.
“Empowering women entrepreneurs could unlock significant economic opportunities.”
She noted that supporting women-led businesses would not only bridge financing gaps but also create jobs and promote sustainable development.
Experts, therefore, stress that inclusive industrial policies, improved access to finance, leadership opportunities, technical training, and industrial infrastructure are essential to unlocking the full potential of women in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
As women continue to expand their presence in the industry, stakeholders believe that deliberate reforms and stronger support systems will be key to building a more inclusive and resilient manufacturing sector.
