6 Nigerian Women on the Women Who Bet on Them

This year’s International Women’s Day, theme Give To Gain reiterates that when you open a door for another woman, the whole room wins. Research consistently shows that women in leadership drive better business outcomes, stronger teams, and more inclusive workplaces. And behind every statistic is a more personal story: a woman who made a call, a boss who took a chance, a stranger who said "you should be in this room."

Because the truth is, women have always been each other's greatest champions, long before the spotlight was on them. In this article, we spoke to 6 women about the women who saw something in them, gave them a shot, and changed the course of their lives. Their stories remind us that opportunity, when passed forward, multiplies.

My mom did not just impact my life; she walked so I can fly - Esther

There are many women who have impacted my life, but I have chosen to talk about how my mom impacted my life. One woman who has greatly impacted my life and paved the way for me and my sisters is my mom. My mom did not have the opportunity to receive the level of education that my siblings and I received, as her parents could not afford it, but she understood the importance of education. For someone born in an era where educating female children was considered taboo, educating us was as important to my mom as educating the male child.

To my mom, educating female children was like advocating for women to be more than just moms and wives, advocating against domestic violence, child marriages, sexual assault, and financial abuse, and advocating for financial independence, for women to have goals, careers, and ambition, and not be limited by their gender. It was advocating for women to have autonomy to make decisions about their health and have reproductive rights. My mom did not just impact my life; she walked so I can fly.

My sister helped me find my professional passion and gave me direction and support to have a defined career - Chika

I’ll say my older sister; Gabriella. She helped me find my professional passion and gave me direction and support to have a defined career. She helped me secure internships, paid for some courses, made recommendations of my skill to brands and continually encouraged me that I can and know what to do at every point. I'll probably be stuck figuring out what I'm meant to be doing if not for her.

Her investment unlocked my future - Lovejoy

This International Women's Day, we celebrate the principle of "Give to Gain." I know this to be true, not from a report, but from my life's story, a story shaped by Tracy Oyekanmi. In 2020, I was a recent Biochemistry graduate entering a world paralyzed by the pandemic. I had no industry experience, no marketing portfolio, and no clear path forward. I was, by all accounts, a risky hire. Tracy is a seasoned marketing communications professional in Canada. Instead of seeking a safe bet, she saw potential. Tracy gave me a chance—a fair offer, her invaluable time, and her knowledge without reservation. She chose generosity over convenience, mentoring me in an industry I was just discovering.

Her investment unlocked my future. I learned that the discipline of a science lab translates to brand strategy, and that stories can shape markets. With her guidance, I transformed from a novice into a confident professional, now working as a Senior Brand Strategist. Tracy's act of giving created a ripple effect. It didn't just change my career; it reshaped my belief in what's possible and set the standard for how I will support others.

Beyond technical skills, she taught me resilience - Gold

One woman who profoundly shaped my journey is Deborah. Before I met her, fashion was never something I imagined for myself. It wasn’t a passion, a dream, or even a serious interest. With patience and intention, she introduced me to what fashion truly is not just clothes, but structure, creativity, discipline, and purpose.

She didn’t just teach me how to sew, she laid the foundation of my entire fashion career. She walked me through the basics with joy and dedication, ensuring I understood every step. Through her guidance, I learned the importance of precision, accuracy and measurement. She instilled in me the discipline required to excel in an industry where excellence is the only language that truly stands out.

Beyond technical skills, she taught me resilience. She showed me what it means to remain exceptional even when others underestimate you. From her, I learned that no matter where you start, if you are truly good at what you do, your work will speak for you. People will notice. They will seek you out. They will value what you bring to the table. She did more than teach me fashion design. She gave me the confidence to pursue mastery and the courage to stand out. Her influence continues to reflect in my work today, and for that, I remain deeply grateful.

I am super thankful to Aunt Shola not only because I won the scholarship but also because something shifted in me - Tobi

It’s International Women's Day, and I cannot help but be thankful to a particular person that changed my life. This wonderful soul is my aunt—Aunt Shola. I was in JSS 1 when she reached out to my mom to tell her that there was a scholarship opening in a meeting she joined. This scholarship was going to run all through my stay in secondary school, where my tuition will be fully paid by the organization, and even cross into my university if I gained admission immediately. I’m very sure that she knew all the other children and even some people who attended the same meeting with her but were not able to get the slot. Aunty Shola reached out and encouraged me to take the exam. I was so scared because I would be taking an examination with students from big private schools and reputable ones at that. My mom encouraged and prayed for me. I prepared, and I took the exam.

The result was to be released before we left the center. As we sat quietly after some hours, they began to call the results, and I took the first position. I was so excited, and my mom was super proud of me. The scholarship scheme paid me a particular amount each year till I finished secondary school because we didn’t pay tuition in federal school as of then. Each time I collected the money, I would wish to give her a part, but I am not sure she collected any from my mom. I am super thankful to Aunt Shola not only because I won the scholarship but also because something shifted in me that I can be the best wherever I find myself regardless of the status or position of my competitors. Happy International Women's Day to every woman that supports other women. God bless you.

She recommended me for a job - Faridah

To be honest, I've experienced a lot of women that have paved the way for me, that have given me life-changing opportunities. But one that I would say has really stayed with me would be the friend of mine who gave me the opportunity to get my very first HR job, to get into the HR space. Sometime in 2021, she just reached out to me asking if I was still job hunting. And next thing, I was resuming a job that I did not even apply to, but based on the referral of someone who trusted me enough to recommend this job for me.

It's an opportunity that I will never forget. And I'm still very grateful for her till tomorrow because it was a really good one. No matter how the job eventually went, the fact that she remembered me, and she reached out to me, and facilitated the process of me getting that job is an experience that has stayed with me for the longest.