ABU ICERFE, OPay Empower 100 Women in Host Community

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, through its International Centre of Excellence for Rural Finance and Entrepreneurship (ICERFE), in collaboration with Opay Digital Services, has empowered 100 women in its host community. The initiative, aimed at eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods, culminated in a colourful event at the ICERFE building on Monday, March 24, 2025.

Speaking at the event, ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, urged the beneficiaries to ensure sustainability in their ventures to minimize the risk of failure. Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Advancement, Research, and Innovation), Prof. Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized that the primary objective of the programme was to empower mothers within the society.

A major highlight of the event was the recognition of 50 outstanding beneficiaries who received starter packs as a reward for their dedication and commitment during the training. Prof. Bala congratulated the recipients and commended their perseverance throughout the process.

The Director of ICERFE, Dr. Idris Bashir Bugaje, underscored the importance of the training, noting that it was designed to foster entrepreneurship and strengthen communities. He stated, “Today, we celebrate the 100 remarkable women who have dedicated their time and effort to learning content creation, agribusiness (fish farming and poultry farming), catering, leatherworks, and tailoring.”

Dr. Bugaje highlighted that the training serves as a pathway to economic independence, urging beneficiaries to utilize and expand their skills to achieve sustainable success. He also expressed appreciation to Opay Digital Services for their financial support and commitment to corporate social responsibility, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to community development.

He further noted, “Through Opay’s generosity, lives are being transformed, businesses are being built, and communities are being empowered. However, training alone is not enough; success will come from applying and expanding these skills.” He encouraged the women to remain resilient, as entrepreneurship requires determination, creativity, and adaptability.

In his remarks, the Head of Marketing at Opay Digital Services, Mr. Kunle Adeyemi, expressed excitement about being part of the initiative. He emphasized Opay’s commitment to building a more economically viable society and thanked ABU for the opportunity to impact lives. He also expressed hope for more collaborative efforts with the university in the future.

The programme reinforces ABU’s dedication to community development and economic empowerment, providing women with essential entrepreneurial skills for self-sufficiency and financial stability.