NEM Insurance Plc support female entrepreneurs with cash incentives

NEM Insurance Plc has officially rewarded the three winners of its “She Means Business” contest.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEM Insurance Plc, Andrew Ikekhua therefore issued a statement calling on Nigerian female entrepreneurs to transition from subsistence business models toward the technical discipline required to build conglomerates.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, held in Lagos recently, the leading general business insurance company in Nigeria, highlighted its commitment to fostering economic growth through the empowerment of women, celebration of entrepreneurship and gender inclusion.

The event served at the climax of the third edition of the ‘She Means Business’ initiatives, a flagship gender-focused programme designed to provide tangible support to women-owned businesses.

The highlight of the event was the recognition of three outstanding female entrepreneurs who emerged as winners of the contest. These women were selected for their resilience, innovation, and the potential of their businesses to create a meaningful impact

The 2026 winners include:

Dorcas Egbedara Opeoluwa, (perfume production)
Chisom Kanu,( shoe merchant) and
Eniola Robert Mary (fashion designer).
The cash prizes awarded are intended to help these entrepreneurs upscale their operations and strengthen their market presence.

Ikekhua lauded the resilience of the Nigerian woman in an increasingly complex and heterogeneous economic landscape.

“Please keep pushing boundaries, keep breaking barriers, and keep striving,” he charged. “Starting and keeping a business running smoothly is hardly ever easy, especially in today’s environment. But you are capable of greatness. Your strength inspires others, and your voice matters.”

Reflecting on the journey of legendary African entrepreneurs, he encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize their capital wisely, citing the humble beginnings of industrial giants who transformed small seed capital into multi-trillion naira conglomerates.

The NEM Insurance chief emphasized that passion alone is insufficient to scale a business. He identified Structure, Sales, and Marketing as the tripod upon which successful enterprises stand.

“In building a business empire, you need structures. Whether big or small, you must have a framework. You need sales, you need marketing, and you need advertising. This is how you turn ideas into reality and become a widely successful entrepreneur,” he noted.

He further reminded the entrepreneurs that the beauty of small business ownership lies in autonomy, urging them to take full charge of their time and strategic planning to achieve their desired level of success.

He concluded his address with a passionate “triple charge” to the women to de-risk their investments.

“Whatever you are doing, think of insurance,” he said. “I repeat that three times: Think insurance. When you think insurance, think NEM Insurance. Ensure you insure whatever is sustaining you so that as you grow, your success remains protected. With insurance, you will definitely be highly successful.”

He expressed optimism that by the next International Women’s Day, many of the beneficiaries would return with testimonies of scaled operations and expanded market reach.

The event, which featured the presentation of prize money to budding female entrepreneurs, underscores NEM Insurance’s commitment to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) pillars of empowerment and financial security.

The General Manager Corporate Services NEM Insurance Plc Mrs. Mojisola Teluwo, emphasized that the initiative was more than just a corporate social responsibility project—it is a strategic investment in the fabric of society.

She submitted that the Managing Director, Executive Directors, and staff, the General Manager articulated a clear vision for the program:

“We believe that when a woman thrives, a family thrives. When families thrive, communities grow. And when communities grow, businesses and nations prosper.”

He described the awards as a “vote of confidence” in their vision and capacity to lead.

As one of Nigeria’s leading insurance providers, NEM Insurance underscored that while its core business is built on protection and stability, its broader mission includes driving sustainable growth and inclusive development.

“Beyond policies and premiums, we are also in the business of impact,” the GM stated, reaffirming that supporting women-led businesses aligns perfectly with the company’s long-term goals.

The ceremony concluded with a powerful charge to all women to continue breaking barriers and embrace the professional structures and insurance coverage necessary for grassroots levels.