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Women: Major force in Nigeria’s retail sector

Published

4 years ago

July 14, 2022

Sahara Weekly

Women: Major force in Nigeria’s retail sector

By Olorunfemi Adejuyigbe

In its report highlighting the impact of women on Nigeria’s economic development, PwC Nigeria, Advisory partner and Chief Economist, Andrew Nevin, indicated that women account for 41 percent ownership of micro-businesses in Nigeria, with 23 million female entrepreneurs operating within this segment.

The strong entrepreneurial spirit of women no doubt makes them a major force in the contribution of the micro business sector to Nigeria’s GDP. 90 percent of Nigeria’s retail market transactions according to reports are estimated to worth $100 billion out of which the food and consumer goods retail market alone accounts for an estimated over $40 billion.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of leading B2B e-commerce platform Alerzo, Adewale Opaleye, once commended the contributions of women to the socio-economic growth of Nigeria. His perspective on the import of women to the micro business segment is inspired by his mother who was a shop owner. He experienced firsthand the challenges his mother, like other shop owners, faced in the running of her business – issues of inventory management, access to capital, logistics and so on – which seemed endless. His subsequent study in China and witnessing how the country used technology in solving similar problems, inspired him to tackle business challenges in Nigeria using the same technology. This was how Alerzo was born.

Today majority of the micro business owners on the Alerzo platform comprise women. The core focus of B2B e-commerce companies like Alerzo is to help micro business owners stock their stores with original and quality products directly from manufacturers and distributors, delivering the products to them free of charge, thus helping them to overcome most of the challenges associated with their business.

Micro business owners in general no longer have to deal with most of the issues that affect their profitability and ease of doing business, thereby changing the landscape for them one delivery at a time. With its delivery services, retailers save time, energy, and resources that they would have otherwise expended in restocking. These benefits have resulted in 85 percent of the retailers on the Alerzo platform reducing their two to four times a week restock trips to zero. This is further transforming the businesses of all informal retailers on the platform.

With B2B e-commerce bringing continuous improvement to how retailers, including women, run their businesses, the import of women to the micro business sector and economic growth in general cannot be undermined.

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Lumiegee Shines Bright: Nigerian – London Based Music Sensation Wins Silver at Global Music Awards for “Yehba”

Published

3 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Lumiegee, the talented Nigerian recording artist, audio engineer, and songwriter, has been honored with two Silver Medals at the prestigious Global Music Awards (GMA) for his captivating single “Yehba”.

The GMA, a top-tier international music competition, recognized Lumiegee’s outstanding work in the AfroBeats genre and the music video for “Yehba”, solidifying his position as a rising star in the music industry.

“Yehba” has been making waves in the Nigerian music scene, earning Lumiegee recognition from Soundcity TV Africa, CMJ TV UK, and other prominent music platforms. This latest accolade further cements his reputation as a force to be reckoned with in Afrobeats.

Lumiegee’s music style, a fusion of Afropop, R&B, Soul, and World music, has captivated audiences worldwide. His unique sound draws inspiration from legendary artists such as King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti, and Stevie Wonder.

The Global Music Awards is a respected music industry recognition platform, promoting award honorees through social media and press releases to over 20,000+ musicians, music managers, record labels, and industry contacts.

Website: https://www.globalmusicawards.com/honorees/home
For more information on Lumiegee and his music, visit @lumiegee on Instagram.

*About Lumiegee:*
Lumiegee, born Olumide A. d’Goke Adeisa, is a Nigerian recording artist, audio engineer, and songwriter with a decade of experience in the music industry. His music blends cultural influences, emotional depth, and catchy hooks, resonating with fans across Africa and beyond.

Contact:
@lumiegee (Instagram)
LumieTech

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Buratai Pays Tribute to Ihejirika at 70, Hails Mentorship and Legacy of Leadership

Published

4 days ago

February 14, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Buratai Pays Tribute to Ihejirika at 70, Hails Mentorship and Legacy of Leadership

Former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s immediate past Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has paid a glowing tribute to his predecessor, Lt. Gen. OA Ihejirika, as the retired General marks his 70th birthday.

In a heartfelt message released in Abuja on Friday, Buratai described Ihejirika as not only a distinguished soldier and statesman, but also a commander, mentor, and “architect of leadership” whose influence shaped a generation of senior military officers.

Buratai recalled that his professional rise within the Nigerian Army was significantly moulded under Ihejirika’s command, citing key appointments that defined his career trajectory.

According to him, the trust reposed in him through early command responsibilities, including his first command posting at Headquarters 2 Brigade and later as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, laid a solid foundation for his future leadership roles.

“These opportunities were not mere appointments; they were strategic investments in leadership,” Buratai noted, adding that such exposure prepared him for higher national responsibilities.

He further acknowledged that the mentorship and professional grounding he received under Ihejirika’s leadership were instrumental in his eventual appointment as Chief of Army Staff and later as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.

Buratai praised Ihejirika’s command philosophy, describing it as professional, pragmatic, and mission-driven. He said the former Army Chief led by example, combining firm strategic direction with a clear blueprint for excellence that continues to influence military leadership practices.

“At seventy, General Ihejirika has earned the right to reflect on a legacy secured,” Buratai stated, praying for good health, peace, and enduring joy for the retired General as he enters a new decade.

He concluded by expressing profound gratitude for the leadership, mentorship, and lasting example provided by Ihejirika over the years.

The tribute was signed by Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, who described himself as a grateful mentee and successor, underscoring the enduring bonds of mentorship within the Nigerian Army’s top leadership.

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Sagamu Plantation Row: Igimisoje-Anoko Family Challenges LG Claim

Published

1 week ago

February 9, 2026

Sahara Weekly

The Odumena Igimisoje-Anoko family of Orile-Oﬁn in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State has strongly disputed claims by the Sagamu Local Government that a large expanse of land near the Sagamu–Ikenne Road belongs to the state government, insisting that the property remains ancestral land belonging to their forefathers.

The family’s reaction follows a public warning issued by the Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Ogbeni Jubril Olasile Odulate, cautioning residents against purchasing or occupying portions of what he described as a “state-owned rubber plantation” located beside the Ogun State Low-Cost Housing Estate near the NYSC Orientation Camp.

In the statement, the council alleged that some individuals were illegally selling and developing the land and maintained that the property had been earmarked for the proposed New Sagamu Government Reserved Area (GRA).

However, the Akarigbo family has countered the claim, describing the land as private ancestral property and not government-owned.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Omoba Babatunde Adegboyega Igimisoje, Secretary of the Odumena Igimisoje-Anoko family, said the land forms part of Orile-Ofin, which he described as the ancestral headquarters of Remo before the creation of Sagamu town.

According to him, the area is an inheritance from their forefathers and historically belongs to the Akarigbo lineage.

“Orile-Ofin is our ancestral land and the headquarters of Remo in those days. It was during the reign of our forefathers that Sagamu was later formed and settled in 1872, while Orile-Ofin remained our village,” he said.

He explained that the specific portion currently in dispute historically belonged to Oba Odumena Igimisoje-Anoko, whom he described as the last Igimisoje-Anoko to reign as king on the land.

Reacting to the local government’s ownership claim, Adegboyega insisted that the rubber plantation was never government property.

He said the land was only temporarily acquired by the old Western Region government in 1959 for agricultural purposes.

“In 1959, the Western Region acquired the land for rubber plantation, but that did not transfer ownership to the government permanently,” he stated.

The family further claimed that the land was later returned to the original owners.

According to him, during the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel between 2008 and 2011, steps were taken to return the land to the family, while his successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, allegedly revoked lingering government control and formally handed it back to the Odumena Igimisoje-Anoko family.

“It was duly returned to the rightful owners. So it is surprising to now hear that the land is being described as local government property,” he said.

He cautioned the council chairman against interfering in what he called a family land matter.

“The rubber plantation land is not government land and does not belong to the local government. The chairman should not join an issue he does not fully understand,” he added.

In the same vein, Prince Abdul Fatai, an executive member of the Anoko family, also warned the local government to stay away from the land, describing it as their forefathers’ heritage.

He appealed to the Ogun State Government and the Akarigbo of Remoland to intervene in the matter to prevent tension and ensure peace in the community.

“We are calling on the state government and the Akarigbo to step in so that this issue can be resolved peacefully. This is our inheritance, and we want justice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sagamu Local Government had maintained that the land belongs to the Ogun State Government and warned that anyone found buying, selling, fencing or developing plots in the area would face arrest and prosecution.

The dispute has now set the stage for a possible legal and administrative battle over ownership, with both sides standing firm on their claims.

Residents say they hope authorities and traditional institutions will urgently intervene to clarify ownership and prevent further conflict or losses for unsuspecting buyers.