As the conversation around the urgent need to elevate Nigerian women’s economic power continues, we spotlight Ameera Abraham, Rewa Udoji, and Toyosi Etim-Effiong, trailblazers in their respective fields who share their unique perspectives on how women can harness their financial influence to shape industries, communities, and economies.
These outstanding women share the challenges, opportunities, and critical shifts needed to amplify women’s roles in driving economic growth. Join us and be inspired by their insights on breaking barriers, building wealth, and inspiring future generations to own their financial narratives.
Ameera Abraham
Ameera Abraham founded The Nail Bar, a luxury nail spa and wellness center that would redefine standards for nail care and spa services in Nigeria. Her pioneering spirit and innovative vision not only set a new benchmark but also paved the way for groundbreaking advancements in the beauty industry. Barely six years later, she launched Nigeria’s premier professional clean beauty nail care brand Amali Cosmetics, renowned for its non-toxic product range. She is also the author of “The Full Set: a memoir on the Intricacies of running a beauty business”. With over 13 years of experience, she shares her knowledge as an educator with The Full Set online course. Ameera previously served as Executive Chair & Director of Communications at the Spa and Wellness Association of Africa. She is a pioneer member of the Standard organisation of Nigeria’s beauty services and wellness technical committee.
She is a CIBTAC-certified beauty therapist and medical aesthetician, holds a BA in Politics and International Relations, and a CIBTAC Diploma in Spa Management. Ameera Abraham is an invaluable asset to the beauty and wellness industry. Her involvement with the Spa and Wellness Association of Africa, coupled with her educational initiatives through workshops and masterclasses, underscores her dedication to fostering industry standardization and catalyzing its growth. She is an advocate of women’s and children’s rights and enlightening and empowering women in their various fields of life.
Tell us about your first experience with money as an adult.
I earned my first salary at the age of 19. I worked part-time in fashion retail and was able to save up for a beauty therapy course that I desperately wanted to do. I was studying politics and international relations in university at the time and I wanted to switch courses but I met major resistance from my parents. I knew they wouldn’t pay for the beauty therapy course so I decided to pay for it myself. It was my first taste of financial freedom but also a major lesson in understanding the value of money.
Investments have been proven to be an essential factor in building wealth. What is the best investment you’ve made so far, and why?
My education and commitment to continuous skill acquisition have been my major investment because it affords me the ability to earn more money and ultimately achieve long-term financial stability. It’s helped me make informed decisions on my acquisitions ranging from real estate to a diversified stock portfolio.
Women earn less than men in all occupations, and despite the obvious wage disparity, many argue that more women should become more active in negotiating salaries, particularly in the corporate sector. What are your thoughts on this?
Although a helpful solution, active negotiations can only take one so far. I feel the bigger issue is companies being more intentional about addressing the biases that exist in their hiring processes as well as their promotion and compensation packages. Actively creating policies that allow for transparency in compensation packages and also emphasis in promoting equity will spotlight the value of services provided by women and reduce gender bias.
Due to numerous economic restraints, nearly two out of every five adult women find it difficult to invest in their businesses. From your perspective, what can be done to ensure that more women not only get access to finance but also receive the necessary information and support to thrive?
Personally, I have benefited immensely from having access to financial literacy programs that have helped me understand how to make my money work for me. I believe giving women access to these programs allows for opportunities to gain knowledge on money and money management skills as well as investment opportunities and how they can benefit from them. These programs should also be supported by financial institutions that are able to fund women-led businesses and also offer intervention solutions to support their business needs as emergency loans.
What initiatives or actions do you believe are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?
Firstly, I believe recognition of the contribution of women and their successes is key to promoting an inclusive business environment. Secondly, I’m a huge advocate for inclusive policies in the workplace that promote equal pay and parental leave especially. Lastly, women-focused groups offer great resources, business support, and a sense of community that fosters growth.
Rewa Udoji
Rewa Udoji is a Financial Services professional and a Visual Artist. She has over 15 years of financial services experience covering Banking, Insurance, Wealth Management, and Private Equity across Africa and Europe. Before joining Chapel Hill Denham, she founded Cranstoun, a Financial Services Commission (FSC) – regulated Approved Fund, providing African investors with access to global capital markets. Rewa was the Group Head of Corporate Development for Brainworks Capital, now Arden Capital, a JSE-listed investment holding company focused on investments in Zimbabwe. During her time there, she played a fundamental role in the successful listing of the company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in October 2017.
Prior to this, Rewa worked as the Strategy Manager at Old Mutual West Africa, where she worked for several years across Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. Her responsibilities across the various geographies were integral to defining and driving the company’s strategy, as well as coordinating the activities of multiple Old Mutual subsidiaries in the West African region in Nigeria, Ghana, and select francophone countries which saw her nominated for the Old Mutual Group flagship Leadership Rotation Programme.
She began her career in 2008 as an intern at Accenture UK, a management consulting firm. She would go on to become a Management Consultant at the company where she worked with several national and multinational financial institutions, including Royal Sun Alliance, National Australia Bank, Santander, and HSBC. Rewa is currently a Director, Investment Management at Chapel Hill Denham. REWA is also a globally celebrated visual artist whose heritage-inspired art has been featured in fairs, museum, and gallery exhibitions across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Her works have been part of group exhibitions at ReLe Gallery, the Gallery of African Art (GAFRA) in London, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) in New York, Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town, Jonathan Ferrara Gallery in New Orleans, the Contemporary Art Centre New Orleans (CACNO), the Nigerian National Museum, Band Of Vices Gallery in Los Angeles, DeBuck Gallery, and Urban Zen Gallery in New York, among others. She has also been featured in virtual group exhibitions with Artsy, CasildART, and the UK Government.
Her work has appeared at several renowned art fairs including Art Miami, Art Expo Chicago, Art Market San Francisco, and Art Dubai. She has collaborated with global brands such as Unilever and Nike on campaigns like the Vaseline Showcase at the 2019 Essence Festival and the 2019 Women’s World Cup Nike “Don’t Change Your Dream, Change the World” campaign. REWA also has an apparel collaboration with high-end fashion house Burnett New York for the Burnett x REWA collection. Her work has been featured in hit U.S. TV shows such as Law & Order: Organized Crime, ABC Network’s Black-ish, and Oprah Winfrey’s OWN All The Single Ladies. Recently, six of her artworks were featured in multi-platinum Grammy award-winning global superstar Usher’s new music video Ruin ahead of his record-breaking halftime performance at Super Bowl LVIII. Her works are held in notable collections, including those of Beth Rudin DeWoody, CCH Pounder, and the Bentata family, and are part of corporate collections such as AXA XL.
Rewa holds a BSc in Physiology and Pharmacology (Combined Honours) from University College London (UCL) and was the recipient of the Women in Management Africa (WIMA) Top 25 Women in Management Award 2024. She was also recognized by the Lagos State Governor on International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022 as one of the EKO 100 Women for her commendable work in both finance and the visual arts. She has attended executive training programs at leading institutions including Duke University and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).In September of this year, REWA debuted her first solo institutional exhibition at The Africa Centre in London, Women of the Elephant Tusk: Ndi Otu Odu, a culturally significant project ratified by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, mni, Obi of Onitsha. The exhibition honours the power and resilience of African women and was attended by distinguished members of the Otu Odu society.
Most recently, REWA was invited to design the official poster for the 2025 edition of the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. The carnival considered the second-largest in the world after Rio de Janeiro’s, has been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest since 1980 and has been running since 1962. With the 2025 edition themed “Secrets of Africa,” REWA will be the first African artist – and the third woman artist overall – to design the event’s symbolic poster, putting her amongst the ranks of César Manrique, Mel Ramos, and Jiří “Georg” Dokoupil, and marking a significant moment in both her career and the carnival’s rich history of artistic collaboration.
Rewa holds a BSc in Physiology and Pharmacology (Combined Honours) from University College London (UCL) and was a recipient of the Women in Management Africa (WIMA) Top 25 Women in Management Award 2024 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Rewa was also recently recognised by the Lagos State Governor on International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022, as one of the EKO 100 Women – for her commendable work across finance and the visual arts. She has attended executive training programmes at leading institutions including Duke University and Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
Tell us about your first experience with money as an adult.
My first experience with money as an adult was realising how quickly it can disappear if not managed properly. I remember getting my first pay slip from my part-time job at PC World and feeling so empowered, but I also made a few impulsive purchases. That experience quickly taught me the importance of budgeting and being intentional about saving and investing, which laid the foundation for my approach to financial management today.
One of my biggest goals by the age of 25 was to save enough for a deposit to buy my first property in London. I didn’t have much in savings, so I had to get creative. I began trading penny stocks, starting with small amounts and gradually growing my savings. It wasn’t always easy, and I had to learn how to navigate the ups and downs of the stock market. But over time, my little investments began to add up, and I was able to turn those small gains into a sizeable amount for the deposit. That experience taught me the power of investing early and strategically, and it reinforced the importance of taking calculated risks when it comes to building wealth.
Investments have been proven to be an essential factor in building wealth. What is the best investment you’ve made so far, and why?
The best investment I’ve made so far has been in my own financial education. Understanding how money works, how to make it grow, and how to make informed decisions about where to allocate it has been transformative. It’s one thing to earn money, but learning how to grow and sustain it is a completely different skill that has empowered me in so many ways. This knowledge has guided me through everything, from stock investments to entrepreneurial ventures.
As I already mentioned, one of the most pivotal moments in my journey was when I began trading penny stocks to grow my savings. The success of my equity portfolio enabled me to raise enough for my first real estate investment at 25. This property purchase wasn’t just a milestone for me—it became a springboard for expanding my real estate portfolio as I was able to leverage the equity in this asset to expand into others, while still earning passive income off the same asset. Over time, the gains from my stock investments have continued to fuel further property acquisitions, allowing me to diversify my income streams and build long-term wealth.
By investing in my own financial knowledge, I’ve been able to strategically grow my assets and lay a foundation for future financial success. Each investment has taught me more about the power of compounding, the importance of patience, and how calculated risks can pay off in the long run.
Women earn less than men in all occupations, and despite the obvious wage disparity, many argue that more women should become more active in negotiating salaries, particularly in the corporate sector. What are your thoughts on this?
I strongly believe that women should feel empowered to negotiate their salaries. There’s often a perception that asking for more is too assertive or unwelcome, but the reality is that many men do it without hesitation. If women advocate for themselves and push for what they’re worth, it not only helps them but also sets a precedent for future generations of women in the workforce. It’s about closing that gap, one negotiation at a time.
That said, we as women can also consider how to frame our requests in a way that resonates with decision-makers. Negotiating a pay rise doesn’t have to be positioned purely as a personal gain; we can couch the ask in terms of how they raise benefits the organisation as a whole. For example, by highlighting our contributions, increased responsibilities, and the value we bring, we can show how a pay rise is not just an investment in us, but in the success and growth of the company. Framing the conversation in this way can make the ask feel more collaborative and strategic, which may be more compelling to leadership. This not only increases the chances of securing the raise but also reinforces that we are partners in the organisation’s success.
Due to numerous economic restraints, nearly two out of every five adult women find it difficult to invest in their businesses. From your perspective, what can be done to ensure that more women not only get access to finance but also receive the necessary information and support to thrive?
To help more women access finance and thrive in their businesses, we need to take a multifaceted approach that addresses both financial and structural barriers. First and foremost, making financial products and services more inclusive is critical. This could involve creating low-barrier loans or grants that are specifically tailored to women entrepreneurs, with flexible terms that take into account the unique challenges women face, such as lower credit scores or less collateral. Access to capital is essential, but it’s equally important to make the application process simple, transparent, and fair, so that more women feel confident in pursuing these opportunities.
In addition to financial access, providing women with the right tools and education is key to ensuring their long-term success. Financial literacy training should be a priority, as it empowers women to make informed decisions about budgeting, saving, investing, and managing their businesses. Beyond just understanding the basics of finance, women entrepreneurs need mentorship and business coaching to help them navigate the complexities of scaling a business, managing cash flow, and adapting to changing market conditions. Mentorship programs can pair experienced businesswomen with those just starting out, creating a support system where knowledge, resources, and strategies are shared.
Moreover, there should be a focus on creating networks and communities where women can collaborate and support each other. Peer support can be incredibly valuable in fostering an environment of shared learning and encouragement, helping women overcome obstacles together.
Finally, advocacy and policy change are necessary to dismantle systemic barriers. Governments and financial institutions must prioritise gender-inclusive policies, ensuring that more women gain access to finance and the support systems they need to grow their businesses. By addressing these layers—financial access, education, mentorship, and policy—we can create an ecosystem where women entrepreneurs are not only given the chance to start their businesses but are equipped to thrive and grow sustainably.
What initiatives or actions do you believe are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?
Fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the unique challenges women face at multiple levels—both in terms of access to resources and systemic change.
First, access to capital is one of the most significant hurdles for women entrepreneurs. Financial institutions should prioritize creating women-specific funding programs such as grants, low-interest loans, and investment opportunities tailored to women-led businesses. These initiatives should be designed with fewer barriers to entry, understanding that many women may not have the same access to collateral or credit as their male counterparts. Furthermore, venture capital and angel investors need to be more intentional about funding women-led startups, recognizing that gender diversity in leadership contributes to innovative and successful businesses.
Mentorship and women-specific accelerators are crucial for building a support system that can guide women through their entrepreneurial journeys. Mentorship programs where experienced female leaders and entrepreneurs share insights, lessons, and strategies can help women navigate the complexities of running a business. Women-specific accelerators that offer hands-on training, access to networks, and potential investors can provide a safe space for women to grow their businesses and build confidence in a typically male-dominated arena. These programs also foster peer support, creating a network of women who can uplift each other.
Additionally, networking opportunities tailored to women entrepreneurs are vital for fostering collaboration and growth. Business environments that encourage women to connect, share resources, and exchange knowledge will create a sense of community that is essential for both personal and professional development. Networking platforms should extend beyond local communities to regional and international levels, giving women access to global markets, new ideas, and diverse perspectives.
At the same time, policy reform is necessary to create a level playing field. Stronger policies that enforce equal pay, provide protection against gender-based discrimination and ensure women’s rights in the workplace are foundational to a more inclusive business environment. Policies that offer comprehensive parental leave and flexible working conditions are particularly important in supporting women as they balance professional ambitions with family responsibilities. These changes will not only benefit individual women but will also help companies retain talented women in leadership roles, thereby strengthening their businesses.
Moreover, education and awareness initiatives that tackle unconscious bias and promote gender diversity should be integrated into corporate culture. Companies need to take proactive steps to eliminate gender bias in hiring, promotion, and pay. Regular training on diversity and inclusion, coupled with accountability measures, can ensure that companies create a truly inclusive environment where women are given equal opportunities to succeed.
By combining access to capital, mentorship, networking, and policy reform, we can cultivate an environment where women feel supported and empowered to take on leadership roles, grow their businesses, and thrive.
Toyosi Etim-Effiong
Toyosi Etim-Effiong is a distinguished media executive who is bridging the gap between Nollywood and the global film and TV industry. With almost 10 years of multifaceted experience in the media industry, she possesses the vital exposure and skills needed to drive media-related and experiential projects, as well as develop communication strategies for personal and corporate brands. She is a go-to personality and brand for anyone seeking to connect with key players in the media and entertainment industry on the African continent.
As the founder and CEO of That Good Media, a media solutions company with a Talent Management as well as an International Partnerships division, Toyosi has successfully positioned herself as a leading expert in the African movie industry.
Given her experience and expertise gained through various roles in the thriving Nollywood industry, she possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to facilitate international partnerships with investors on a global scale. Her comprehensive understanding of Nollywood, one of the fastest-growing film industries in the world, producing over 1,800 movies annually and generating over $1 billion in revenue, gives her a competitive advantage as a professional and practitioner. Notably, Nollywood is the second-largest film industry in the world, after India’s Bollywood, with a rapidly increasing number of high-quality productions gaining international recognition, including Oscar nominations. The African Film and TV landscape holds immense potential for growth and presents exciting opportunities for collaboration/partnerships with international players.
Toyosi‘s dedication to the growth and development of the Nigerian creative sector, particularly the media and movie industries, is evidenced by her creation of the Independent Producers’ Workshop, a multimedia workshop for budding TV producers and media executives. She also advocates for more international collaborations between Nollywood and the different film industries across the world, believing that Nigerian filmmakers tell uniquely beautiful stories that deserve to be placed on global pedestals.
In 2022, she played a significant role in securing Hollywood presence and participation at the Multichoice-organized AMVCAs in Lagos. She also led a Nollywood delegation to the Essence Film Festival in New Orleans, facilitating the screening of a Nollywood movie for the first time at the festival and sharing her insights on the similarities between African and African-American stories and why there should be intentional collaborations between both film industries in the coming years. In the same year, she also served as the program coordinator for the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF).
With her expertise, growing network, and passion, Toyosi is the go-to for anyone seeking to connect with the Nigerian film industry. She is committed to making Nollywood more accessible to audiences worldwide and seeing Nigeria become a much more valuable player on the global movie scene.
Tell us about your first experience with money as an adult.
My first real experience with money came when I started my entrepreneurial journey. I had always had an off-and-on relationship with money on a personal level, but starting a business shifted my perspective entirely. Suddenly, I had to consider things like cash flow, profitability, and reinvestment. I had to learn how to stretch every Naira to cover the essentials while still finding ways to invest in growth.
What is the best investment you’ve made so far, and why?
The best investment I’ve made has been in my personal development. Over the years, I’ve realized that investing in myself—whether through education, skills development, coaching courses or even therapy has had the most profound impact on both my personal and professional life. Early in my career, I took several courses to improve my understanding of media and business management, including diplomas in Broadcast Journalism and Producing from the New York Film Academy. I also took a Business of Media course at Pan-Atlantic University so that I could have the required knowledge to get That Good Media off the ground. All the knowledge has been invaluable in navigating not just the industry, but life as a whole and let me add that personal development isn’t just about acquiring technical skills; it’s also about nurturing emotional intelligence and self-awareness. I’ve invested and continue to invest time in learning about leadership, building resilience, and understanding how to balance different aspects of my life.
What are your thoughts on women negotiating salaries to address wage disparity?
I 100% agree that more women need to become comfortable negotiating their salaries. It’s not just about closing the wage gap but also about valuing ourselves and the skills we bring to the table. In my experience, women sometimes hesitate to negotiate because we don’t want to seem difficult or are afraid of losing opportunities. But the truth is, when we negotiate, we’re not just advocating for ourselves—we’re setting a standard for the next generation of women who will come after us. It’s about creating a culture where equal work truly means equal pay.
What can be done to ensure that more women get access to finance and the necessary support to thrive in business?
Access to finance is critical, but equally important is education. Financial literacy and business training need to be made more accessible to women, especially those in underserved communities. We need more institutions offering tailored funding solutions that understand the unique challenges women face in business. Beyond that, mentorship and peer networks are also essential. I’ve made bold business decisions just by speaking with friends who are entrepreneurs. When women give access to other women, whether through sharing resources or offering guidance, it creates a ripple effect that benefits everyone.
What initiatives or actions do you believe are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?
We need more women-centric policies. Things like more grants and low-interest loans for women-led businesses will go a long way. There’s also a need for more women in leadership positions across industries. You know when a woman is at the helm of affairs; things are just different. There’s more compassion in the rules guiding the organization, they are able to advocate for changes that create an inclusive environment. Lastly, we need to normalize conversations around work-life balance and provide flexibility for women, especially mothers, so that they can thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
