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Women co-founders driving Nigeria’s start-up revolution

Ijeoma Clare
8 Min Read

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With an increasing number of startups, Nigeria is witnessing a remarkable rise in female entrepreneurship. From fintech to beauty, a new wave of dynamic duos is emerging as women join forces to challenge the status quo and redefine success. We explore a number of female co-founders below.

Odunayo Eweniyi and Somto Ifezue—PiggyVest

Sector: Fintech

Odunayo Eweniyi and Somto Ifezue are redefining personal finance in Nigeria through their co-founded start-up, PiggyVest. By addressing the widespread challenge of undisciplined savings, the duo created a platform that allows users to save and invest seamlessly, with features like automated saving plans and investment opportunities. Their complementary skills—Odunayo’s strategic leadership and Somto’s technological expertise—have been instrumental in scaling PiggyVest to become Nigeria’s most trusted savings platform.

Their partnership goes beyond business; it’s a shared mission to empower Nigerians to achieve financial security. They have built a loyal user base that spans millions, earning numerous accolades, including recognition as fintech leaders in Africa. Together, they inspire others to take charge of their financial futures while proving that collaboration is key to success.

Damilola Olokesusi and Mariam Afolabi – Shuttlers

Sector: Transportation

Damilola Olokesusi and Mariam Afolabi teamed up to tackle one of Lagos’s most persistent issues: chaotic and unreliable transportation. Together, they co-founded Shuttlers, a tech-enabled ride-sharing service that offers a more affordable and convenient commuting experience. While Damilola spearheads the company’s strategic vision, Mariam focuses on operational excellence, creating synergies that ensure their business runs smoothly.

Their innovation has redefined urban mobility by optimising routes and reducing transportation costs for thousands of Nigerians. Beyond technology, the duo is committed to sustainability, employing eco-friendly practices to reduce the carbon footprint of urban travel. By addressing a problem that affects millions daily, Damilola and Mariam have positioned themselves as trailblazers in the transportation sector.

Vivian Nwakah and Nnenna Nkongho—Medsaf

Sector: HealthTech

Vivian Nwakah and Nnenna Nkongho joined forces to confront Nigeria’s counterfeit drug crisis, founding Medsaf to ensure access to safe, reliable medications. Their start-up bridges the gap between healthcare providers and certified pharmaceutical suppliers, leveraging technology to streamline procurement and improve patient outcomes.

What sets their partnership apart is their shared passion for healthcare innovation and community impact. Vivian’s entrepreneurial drive and Nnenna’s strategic acumen have propelled Medsaf to the forefront of health tech in Africa. Their work is not just about profits—it’s about saving lives and restoring trust in the healthcare system.

Oluyomi Ojo, Temie Giwa-Tubosun, and Cynthia Egbodaghe – LifeBank

Sector: HealthTech

LifeBank’s co-founders, Oluyomi Ojo, Temie Giwa-Tubosun, and Cynthia Egbodaghe, are a powerhouse team addressing critical healthcare challenges. Their platform ensures that hospitals receive timely blood deliveries and other essential medical supplies. Temie’s passion for public health, combined with Oluyomi’s innovative approach and Cynthia’s operational expertise, has created a seamless logistics system that saves lives daily.

The trio’s collaboration highlights the strength of a multidisciplinary team, blending public health knowledge, technology, and logistics management. Their impact has been recognised globally, earning partnerships with major healthcare providers and accolades for innovation.

Tope Akinwumi and Funmilola Abayomi—OgaVenue

Sector: EventTech

Tope Akinwumi and Funmilola Abayomi transformed the event planning industry with OgaVenue, an online marketplace that simplifies the process of finding and booking venues. The platform connects users with hundreds of verified venues across Nigeria, offering convenience and transparency in a previously disorganised sector.

Their shared vision and problem-solving mindset have positioned OgaVenue as a go-to solution for event planners and individuals alike. By embracing digital transformation, Tope and Funmilola have redefined how Nigerians plan events, showcasing the power of collaboration in achieving industry-wide change.

Funke Opeke and Ifeoma Malo – MainOne

Sector: Telecommunications

Funke Opeke and Ifeoma Malo are the brains behind MainOne, a telecommunications giant driving connectivity and digital transformation across West Africa. Together, they tackled one of the region’s most significant challenges: unreliable and expensive internet services. MainOne’s high-capacity fiber optic network has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital economy.

The partnership between Funke and Ifeoma exemplifies strategic vision and innovation. Funke’s technical expertise and Ifeoma’s business acumen have enabled MainOne to remain a market leader, fostering economic growth and technological advancement.

Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze and Mary Olushoga – Accounting Hub

Sector: Financial Services

Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze and Mary Olushoga co-founded Accounting Hub to bridge the gap in accessible accounting services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The platform offers affordable financial management solutions, empowering entrepreneurs to make informed decisions.

By combining Chioma’s deep accounting expertise and Mary’s advocacy for SME growth, the duo has built a brand synonymous with trust and reliability. Their work is not just about numbers—it’s about enabling businesses to thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s economy.

Anike Lawal and Aderinola Olayiwola – Mamalette

Sector: Motherhood Tech

Anike Lawal and Aderinola Olayiwola co-founded Mamalette to create a supportive ecosystem for Nigerian mothers. Their platform provides resources on parenting, pregnancy, and childcare while fostering a sense of community among women navigating motherhood.

Their collaboration stems from a shared understanding of the challenges mothers face and a desire to make a difference. Through Mamalette, Anike and Aderinola are transforming how mothers access information and support, championing women’s health and well-being.

Lola Shoneyin and Kadaria Ahmed – Book Buzz Foundation

Sector: Literary Arts

Lola Shoneyin and Kadaria Ahmed co-founded the Book Buzz Foundation to promote African literature and culture. Their flagship initiative, the Ake Arts and Book Festival, has become a celebrated platform for showcasing literary talent across the continent.

The duo’s passion for storytelling and cultural preservation has made the foundation a beacon for African writers and readers. By merging their talents—Lola as a writer and Kadaria as a journalist—they have created a lasting legacy in the literary world.

Tara Fela-Durotoye and Lamide Akintobi – House of Tara

Sector: Beauty

Tara Fela-Durotoye and Lamide Akintobi are transforming Nigeria’s beauty industry with House of Tara, a leading makeup and cosmetics brand. Their partnership has empowered thousands of women through beauty entrepreneurship, creating job opportunities and fostering financial independence.

Tara’s visionary leadership and Lamide’s operational savvy have positioned House of Tara as a household name. Together, they are redefining beauty standards and showcasing the potential of women-led businesses in shaping industries.

Nigeria is experiencing a surge in female entrepreneurship, with women launching startups across various sectors, from fintech to beauty. Among them, Odunayo Eweniyi and Somto Ifezue co-founded PiggyVest to revolutionize personal finance, making savings and investments accessible. Damilola Olokesusi and Mariam Afolabi introduced Shuttlers to tackle transportation challenges in Lagos with a sustainable ride-sharing service.

In health tech, Vivian Nwakah and Nnenna Nkongho initiated Medsaf to combat counterfeit drugs, ensuring safe medication access, while Oluyomi Ojo, Temie Giwa-Tubosun, and Cynthia Egbodaghe founded LifeBank to address critical healthcare deliveries. Tope Akinwumi and Funmilola Abayomi's OgaVenue eased event planning through a venue marketplace, and Funke Opeke with Ifeoma Malo launched MainOne to improve West Africa's connectivity.

Other notable ventures include Accounting Hub by Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze and Mary Olushoga, offering SMEs financial management solutions, and Mamalette by Anike Lawal and Aderinola Olayiwola supporting Nigerian mothers. Literary arts also saw contributions from Lola Shoneyin and Kadaria Ahmed through the Book Buzz Foundation, and Tara Fela-Durotoye with Lamide Akintobi reshaped the beauty industry with House of Tara. These women-led startups exemplify innovation, collaboration, and the quest for societal change.

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