Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, a consumer-packaged goods company and member of the Coca-Cola HBC group, has awarded the sum of N2m as grants to two female entrepreneurs.
The grants were handed out at the just-concluded annual conference of Women in Management, Business, and Public Service, themed Own. Walk. Nurture., which was held in Lagos.
The winners, who got N1m each, emerged from the WIMBIZ Entrepreneurship Masterclass. They were Toyibah Shehu Mohammed of FarhM’s Food and Sauce Global Limited and Helen Gabriel of Ogy’s Cakes. Both recipients were recognised for their potential to create economic impact through their resilience, creativity, and drive.
Presenting the grant, NBC’s People & Culture Director, Jolomi Fawehinmi, restated the company’s belief in the transformative power of female entrepreneurship.
“At NBC, we believe that women-led businesses contribute immensely to the economy, and when that happens, communities also thrive. To every woman who participated in the Entrepreneurship Masterclass, you have already demonstrated your commitment to growth, excellence, and impact,” she said.
NBC, which had partnered with WIMBIZ to host the conference, said the partnership reinforced its commitment to women’s leadership and inclusion.
At a panel session titled Leading from the Inside Out: Balancing Ambition, Vulnerability & Purpose, NBC’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Oluwasoromidayo George, joined other notable women leaders to share insights on navigating leadership from a place of purpose.
Drawing on her background in corporate leadership and sustainability, George stressed the need to be intentional, strategic, and authentic throughout one’s career journey. She noted that today’s workplaces must evolve to support people through both personal and professional challenges, giving them room to grow and deliver meaningful contributions.
She also highlighted that authenticity, emotional intelligence, and vulnerability are not just soft skills but powerful qualities that help women build influence and maintain trust within their organisations.
“When we talk about vulnerability, I would equate it to being open and confident at work; it draws connection and trust, especially when you engage with people of power and influence. Be authentic, stay true to yourself, and align your values wherever you find yourself. Be kind to yourself and to others. As a woman, you have to show up, and you have to show up good,” she said.
