JAN, NLNG Cooperative partner to train women-led businesses

Junior Achievement Nigeria (JA Nigeria) and NLNG Cooperative have partnered to provide entrepreneurship training for women-led businesses.

The partnership through the JA Be Entrepreneurial program empowered 30 young women in Finima Community, Bonny, Rivers State, with entrepreneurial skills and vocational training to support sustainable livelihoods and economic independence.

The training combined hands-on hairstyling with JA Nigeria’s entrepreneurship curriculum to equip participants with both technical expertise and the business acumen needed to establish and grow successful enterprises.

Speaking at the program, Olaolu Akogun, acting executive director, JAN, said his organisation believes entrepreneurship is one of the most effective pathways to economic empowerment.

“We are proud to have partnered with NLNG Cooperative to bring the ‘JA Be Entrepreneurial’ program to the young women of Finima.” “By focusing on hairstyling, these young women have gained a tangible, marketable skill that serves as a gateway to financial agency.”

Akogun noted that his organisation’s goal is to move these women entrepreneurs from dependency to self-sufficiency, while empowering them to create and own it.

“We are grateful for NLNG Cooperative’s support in fostering an environment where creativity meets opportunity, and we look forward to seeing these women contribute to the economic growth of their communities and the nation at large,” he added.

He explained that participants completed the program with enhanced technical competencies, a stronger entrepreneurial mindset, and practical business skills that will support them as they pursue self-employment and other economic opportunities.

Throughout the program, participants received practical instruction from experienced hairstylists and entrepreneurship facilitators. Upon completion, all participants were awarded certificates recognising their successful participation and newly acquired skills.

The program, with the theme, ‘Think it. Create it. Own it’ ran from April to May 2026.

Jacob Osemare, programs officer for Rivers State at Junior Achievement Nigeria, explained that the Be Entrepreneurial program was an inspiring experience. Throughout the five weeks, the participants demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm, determination, and a strong willingness to learn.

“Their resilience and commitment to building a better future for themselves stood out at every stage of the training.” “With the skills and mindset they have developed, we are confident they are well-positioned to create lasting impact in their communities.”

Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) is part of Junior Achievement Worldwide, the world’s oldest and largest non-profit economic education organisation operating in over 100 countries and dedicated to empowering students in financial literacy, work readiness, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.