Premium Times and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a ceremony held at Premium Times’ headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. The signing of this MoU officially cements a strategic partnership between Premium Times and WCCIMA aimed to support women-led enterprises throughout Nigeria.
Attendees at the ceremony included key representatives from both organisations including Willie Obaseota, Administrative Manager at Premium Times; Ime Enang, Director of Business and Partnerships; and Olayinka Lawal, Senior Manager of Business and Partnerships.
The MoU formalises a joint commitment to co-develop and implement a range of programmes, initiatives, and campaigns intended to empower and elevate women entrepreneurs across the country. This alliance also signifies a wider effort to strengthen stronger cooperation between Nigeria’s media and private sectors.
Speaking at the event, Nike Adebowale-Tambe, Acting Head of the Development Desk at Premium Times, said the agreement was more than a ceremonial milestone. “It represents a shared commitment to champion the voices, talents, and contributions of women entrepreneurs across Nigeria,” she said.
She highlighted that the media organisation views women’s economic empowerment as essential to the nation’s advancement. “At Premium Times, we believe that sustainable development and inclusive growth can only be achieved when women are fully empowered to thrive in business, in policy spaces, and in leadership,” she added.
Mrs Adebowale-Tambe went on to describe the collaboration as a purposeful alliance between two organisations with a unified vision to drive meaningful impact through media, advocacy, capacity building, and thought leadership.
Weyinmi Erobi, Director General of WCCIMA, echoed those sentiments while underlining the importance of media visibility in elevating the work of women in business. She extended thanks to those who played a role in bringing the partnership to life and expressed optimism about what lies ahead.
Mrs Erobi stated, “We have been able to use the media to spread the work our women are doing. This partnership will take it from zero to a hundred.”
She further noted that despite being a relatively young organisation, WCCIMA has already witnessed the positive influence of media in raising awareness about its members’ contributions. “There are many women-owned businesses doing amazing things, but no one knows about them. This is a huge opportunity to give them the visibility and platforms they deserve,” she noted.
With the backing of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), WCCIMA believes the new partnership could have wide-reaching effects across Nigeria’s private sector.
This initiative arrives at a time when many women entrepreneurs in Nigeria continue to face entrenched barriers, such as restricted access to funding, limited visibility, and exclusion from key policy and leadership spaces. Although women account for a large share of Nigeria’s informal and small business sectors, many struggle to scale their operations due to a lack of institutional support.
By joining forces, Premium Times and WCCIMA aim to challenge these systemic obstacles and open up new avenues for female-led enterprises to thrive.
