Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for greater investment in productive enterprise, innovation and value creation, describing the economic empowerment of women and young people as critical to Nigeria’s national development.
At the same time, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has warned aspiring exporters against allowing their businesses to be used for illicit drug trafficking, saying a single contaminated shipment could lead to imprisonment and damage Nigeria’s international reputation.
The two leaders spoke at the Aspire Women Forum masterclass, themed “From Survival to Thriving: Empowering Women and Youth for Export Readiness, Global Market Access and Prosperity under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
Represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, Inna Binta Audu, Vice President Shettima said sustainable national prosperity required productive businesses, investment and an environment that enabled Nigerians to create value.
He noted that the Federal Government’s ambition to build a one-trillion-dollar economy could not be achieved by government alone but required businesses capable of growing, competing and contributing to national development.
Shettima stressed that women and young people must occupy a central position in the country’s economic growth, noting that their participation would increase productivity, strengthen household incomes and create employment opportunities.
He added that economic inclusion must go beyond training programmes to provide entrepreneurs with the tools, institutions, financing and market access needed to transform their skills into sustainable livelihoods.
The Vice President commended the founder of Aspire Women Forum, Dr Zainab Marwa, and its partners for organising the masterclass to equip entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and opportunities to expand their businesses.
NDLEA Warns Exporters Against Drug Trafficking
Speaking at the event, Marwa urged women and young entrepreneurs seeking access to international markets to protect the integrity of their businesses and remain vigilant against attempts by drug traffickers to exploit their trading activities.
He warned participants against accepting packages they had not inspected or allowing their goods to be used for illicit drug trafficking.
“Know exactly what you are shipping. Verify your partners and your transactions. Never carry a package you did not pack, and never let your goods be used for trafficking,” he cautioned.
Marwa explained that a shipment contaminated with illicit drugs could cost an exporter their freedom, damage their family’s reputation and jeopardise access to markets painstakingly built by Nigerian businesses.
He said export readiness depended not only on producing quality goods but also on maintaining business integrity, meeting required standards, keeping accurate documentation and providing reliable services.
The NDLEA boss also cautioned participants against substance abuse, describing drug use and illicit trafficking as threats capable of undermining their ambitions and economic prospects.
“Do not let pressure, disappointment, curiosity or the desire to belong draw you into drugs. Drugs solve no business problem and end no hardship; they only multiply them,” he said.
Marwa assured people struggling with drug dependence that seeking assistance was an act of courage rather than shame.
He directed them to the agency’s toll-free helpline, 0800 1020 3040, which operates round the clock and provides access to trained professionals, including clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists.
He also pledged the agency’s readiness to partner with Aspire Women Forum through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy initiative to strengthen drug prevention awareness among women and young people.
Aspire Women Forum Targets Sustainable Businesses
Earlier , the founder and president of Aspire Women Forum, Dr Zainab Marwa, said many Nigerians worked hard to produce goods and provide services but struggled to achieve sustainable incomes because of gaps in business management, access to finance, packaging and connections to potential buyers.
She said the masterclass was designed to help participants understand how to formalise their businesses, improve their operations and access opportunities available through government interventions and other institutions.
Dr Marwa explained that the programme deliberately included young men alongside women and young women because economic challenges affect entire households.
She added that the forum would sustain its engagement with participants beyond the masterclass through mentoring, referrals and further learning opportunities.
The event brought together women and young entrepreneurs seeking practical knowledge, financial opportunities and access to local and international markets.
The organisers said the initiative was intended to help participants move beyond subsistence activities towards sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs, improving livelihoods and contributing to Nigeria’s economic development.