By Saminu Ibrahim
Vice-President Kashim Shettima and the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.), have urged Nigerian women and youths to embrace entrepreneurship, develop their skills and explore international markets to promote economic growth and prosperity.
They made the call on Wednesday 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 Conference Hall, Abuja.
Shettima, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, Inna Binta Audu, said sustainable national prosperity depended on productive enterprise, investment, innovation and the ability of Nigerians to create value.
He described the transition from survival to thriving as both an economic necessity and a national development priority.
According to him, the Federal Government’s ambition to build a $1tn economy cannot be achieved by government alone but requires an enabling environment where businesses can emerge, grow, compete and contribute to national development.
“Women and young people must occupy a central place in that ecosystem. Their economic participation expands our productive capacity, strengthens household incomes, creates employment and widens the opportunities available to future generations,” he said.
The Vice-President stressed that economic inclusion must go beyond training programmes and empowerment announcements to provide entrepreneurs with the tools, institutions and market access required to translate their skills into sustainable income.
He said the success of the masterclass should be measured by the number of businesses strengthened, entrepreneurs reaching new markets and livelihoods transformed by the knowledge acquired.
Shettima commended the founder of Aspire Women Forum, Dr Zainab Marwa, and the institutions and partners that supported the initiative.
In his address, the NDLEA chairman urged women and young entrepreneurs seeking access to international markets to protect their health, judgment and business integrity against the dangers of illicit drugs and drug trafficking.
Marwa said the masterclass offered participants an opportunity not only to acquire skills but also to connect with markets, financing opportunities and institutions capable of improving their economic prospects.
He noted that while opportunities were emerging under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, taking advantage of them required practical skills, supportive institutions, discipline, resilience and sound decision-making.
The NDLEA boss warned that substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking could destroy the ambitions of aspiring entrepreneurs, cautioning participants against allowing pressure, disappointment or the desire to belong to draw them into drug use.
“Drugs solve no business problem and end no hardship; they only multiply them,” he said.
He assured Nigerians struggling with drug dependence that seeking help was an act of courage rather than shame.
Marwa also urged them to take advantage of the NDLEA’s toll-free helpline, 0800 1020 3040, which operates round the clock.
He explained that the agency’s call centre was staffed by trained professionals, including clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists, who provide assistance in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
He called on parents, mentors and community leaders to guide people experiencing drug-related challenges towards treatment rather than isolating them.
Addressing participants preparing to engage in cross-border trade, Marwa warned against allowing their businesses to be exploited by drug traffickers.
“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.
He said a single contaminated consignment could lead to an exporter’s imprisonment, damage the reputation of their family and jeopardise markets painstakingly developed by Nigerian businesses.
According to him, export readiness depends on integrity, reliable products, compliance with standards, accurate documentation and dependable service.
Marwa encouraged participants to leave the masterclass with practical steps to improve their businesses, including formal registration, better record-keeping, enhanced digital skills and improved product preparation for international markets.
He also pledged the NDLEA’s readiness to partner with Aspire Women Forum through its War Against Drug Abuse social advocacy campaign.
“Invest in your abilities. Choose your associations carefully. Pursue your goals with discipline and integrity. Thrive, and stay drug-free,” he said.
Earlier, the Founder and President of Aspire Women Forum, Dr Zainab Marwa, said many Nigerians worked long hours producing goods, processing food, farming, sewing and providing services but struggled to make meaningful financial progress because of practical business challenges.
She identified poor record-keeping, lack of business registration, unsuitable financing arrangements, weak packaging and limited access to buyers as some of the obstacles preventing small businesses from growing.
Marwa commended the Federal Government for supporting enterprise development and economic inclusion through the Renewed Hope Agenda, including financing interventions for small businesses through the Bank of Industry and initiatives promoting skills development and digital entrepreneurship.
She said the masterclass was designed to help participants understand and access such opportunities to improve their businesses and livelihoods.
The forum’s founder disclosed that the programme deliberately included youths, including young men, alongside women and young women, noting that economic uncertainty affected entire households.
She reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to women’s advancement and said its engagement with participants would continue beyond the event through a dedicated team providing communication, referrals and further learning opportunities.
Marwa expressed appreciation to Shettima for the support extended by his office, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, whose meeting with her in Geneva strengthened her resolve to pursue the initiative, and the Founder of Women in Agribusiness, Trade and Export, Dr Queen Onyinye Okpa, among other supporters.
