Empowerment Takes Center Stage at Abuja Market Association Convention: Erelu Dr Becky Olubukola outline strategies for financial inclusion and skill development

The vibrant halls of the Nigerian capital echoed with renewed hope and purpose as the Association of Market Women, Men, and Farmers of Nigeria (AMWMF-WIN) held its 2025 National Convention — a landmark gathering that underscored the power of grassroots enterprise and women’s inclusion in governance.

At the forefront of this movement stood Erelu Dr. Becky Olubukola, National President of the Association and newly inaugurated Asiwaju Oloja of Nigeria. A respected voice in community development and women’s empowerment, Dr. Olubukola passionately advocated for market traders and rural farmers, emphasizing that empowering them is not just a policy goal, but a moral imperative.

“We Are Building Legacies, Not Just Businesses”
Speaking at the event alongside Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Dr. Olubukola declared:

“When we speak of women, we are not merely talking about traders. We are speaking of entrepreneurs, mothers, breadwinners — the silent pillars of our economy.”

Her stirring words captured the spirit of the convention, which brought together thousands of market leaders, coordinators, and farmers representing more than 16 million members across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

“We wake before dawn, carry both our wares and our hopes, and build not just businesses, but legacies,” she added. “Yet, our contributions have too often gone under-recognized, under-supported, and underfunded. That changes now.”

Launching the Market Women Empowerment Project
The convention marked the official unveiling of the Market Women Empowerment Project — an ambitious initiative designed to provide traders and farmers with access to:

Microloans, grants, and tailored savings platforms

Training in business development, financial literacy, and digital skills

Mentorship and capacity building

Market space allocation and protection against exploitation

The program aims to address both economic and social challenges faced by market-based entrepreneurs, many of whom operate without formal support or safety nets.

“This project is about more than economics. It’s about dignity,” Dr. Olubukola said. “It’s about giving women the right to dream bigger, build better, and lead boldly.”

Honoring 40 Years of Resilience
The 2025 convention also celebrated a historic milestone: 40 years of AMWMF-WIN. In her remarks, Minister Ibrahim lauded the association’s resilience and impact since its founding in 1985.

She honored Chief Mrs. Remi Juliana Titilayo, affectionately known as Mama Asiwaju, the association’s first matron and a pioneering figure whose legacy continues to inspire generations.

“I reaffirm President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to diversify Nigeria’s economy through agriculture and trade,” the Minister said. “This administration — through the Renewed Hope Agenda and the advocacy of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu — is firmly committed to empowering women, especially those at the grassroots, who are the lifeblood of our economy.”

A Call to Action and Collaboration
Zoned across every region and deeply rooted in local communities, AMWMF-WIN is now poised to serve as a bridge between informal market systems and national development goals. Through public-private partnerships, strategic alliances, and collective action, the association is calling on stakeholders to join in building a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.

As the curtain closed on this transformative convention, one thing was clear: Erelu Dr. Becky Olubukola and her team are not merely advocating for change — they are leading it.