Nestlé Professional Celebrates and Empowers Women Entrepreneurs in the Food Industry in Benin

In commemoration of International Women’s Day, Nestlé Professional, the Out of Home
business arm of Nestlé Nigeria, successfully hosted the 10th edition of its Business of Food
workshop in Benin. This initiative has transformed and equipped over 2,000 food businesses
across Nigeria in the last three years, providing essential skills and knowledge to enhance
operations, drive growth, and increase income.
This edition of the Business of Food workshop focused on empowering and uniting over 200
female industry experts, restaurant operators, seasoned chefs, culinary school students,
street food vendors, caterers, and grillers. Recognizing their vital role in serving their
communities, the workshop provided participants with free hands-on training in culinary
techniques, menu development, customer engagement, and hygiene best practices, along
with the resources necessary to thrive in their businesses.
In line with the theme “Accelerate Action” for International Women’s Day, this initiative
underscores the urgent need to empower women and drive gender equality in the food
industry, enabling them to take meaningful steps towards success and community impact.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Funmi Osineye, Business Manager for Nestlé Professional in
Nigeria, stated: “Food vendors play a vital role in providing essential nutrition to their
communities. Over the course of 10 editions of this workshop in various states, we have
received numerous testimonials, particularly from women whose businesses have
experienced significant growth. This is why as the world unites to accelerate action in
creating more opportunities for women to thrive, we are excited to offer this workshop, which
empowers them to build sustainable businesses and enhance their impact in this vital sector.
Additionally, we aim to foster networking opportunities that enable women to forge valuable
business connections and collaborations.”
For the first time in the series, this edition included a panel discussion with prominent figures
in the food industry. Here, Princess Esther Eruanga, Deputy Director of the Ministry of
Women Affairs and Social Development, Edo State and Dame Joy Ozigbo Ideh, Founder of
Edo Caterers and Managing Director of 70’s Grill Caterers, shared their inspiring journeys
and offered actionable insights on overcoming challenges in the sector.
Applauding the initiative, Princess Esther Eruanga said, “The workshop aligns with this
year’s International Women’s Day theme, emphasizing the crucial role women play in
shaping communities and economies. By empowering female food entrepreneurs, the event
supports broader efforts to create a more inclusive and thriving food ecosystem.”
Another major highlight of the event was a masterclass hosted by celebrity Chef Vivian,
Managing Director of Wedding and Things Events, which showcased practical skills and
techniques designed to enhance the participants’ business operations. Feedback from

attendees indicated significant improvements in their understanding of essential business
practices, paving the way for better service delivery and increased sales.
Adai Favour from Caviar Culinary Art Schools stated, “I really learned a lot during the panel
discussions from the professionals. This experience will help me when I start my own food
kitchen in the future.”
The event not only celebrated the achievements of women in the food industry but also
reinforced Nestlé Professional’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where
women can thrive. Through initiatives like the Business of Food workshop, Nestlé continues
to support and empower entrepreneurs in building successful businesses.

About Nestlé Professional:
Nestlé Professional is the Out-of-Home arm of Nestle and it focuses on providing innovative, high-
quality food and beverage solutions to the out-of-home, or foodservice, industry in Nigeria. This
division caters to a wide range of customers, including restaurants, hotels, cafes, offices, catering
companies, coffee shops and other foodservice providers. Our Vision is to be the trusted partner of
choice in Out-of-Home, by providing affordable and nutritious food and beverage solutions that help
our customers win.

About Nestlé:
Nestlé Nigeria is Africa’s top food and beverage company, known for its quality, excellence, and
commitment to creating shared value. With a heritage of more than 63 years in Nigeria and its house-
hold brands, the firm continues to ensure the availability and accessibility of nutritious food and
beverage products. In addition, the firm supports the communities closest to its operations and takes
action to safeguard the environment through sustainable business practices.
With over 2,300 direct employees, 3 factories and 7 branch offices across Nigeria, Nestlé produces
and markets iconic brands including Maggi, Milo, Golden Morn, Nestlé Pure Life and Cerelac.