700 women benefit from Olam agri business baking academy

The Olam Agri has said that a total of 700 women graduates have benefited from the Crown Flour Angels (CFA) Baking Academy since the initiative’s inception in 2021. This was disclosed on yesterday as the company celebrated the graduation of fresh 140 women from its CFA Baking Academy in Abuja. Bola Adeniji, General Manager and […]

The Olam Agri has said that a total of 700 women graduates have benefited from the Crown Flour Angels (CFA) Baking Academy since the initiative’s inception in 2021.

This was disclosed on yesterday as the company celebrated the graduation of fresh 140 women from its CFA Baking Academy in Abuja.

Bola Adeniji, General Manager and Head of Marketing at Olam Agri in Nigeria, noted the initiative’s impact.

“With Nigeria’s population evenly split between genders, empowering women is crucial to bridging the poverty gap.

“This baking academy is a significant step towards women achieving their entrepreneurial dreams. Since 2021, we’ve successfully trained 700 women, a testament to the program’s impact on women’s empowerment,” Adeniji said.

The CFA Baking Academy, a free training program by Crown Flour Mill (CFM) Limited, Olam Agri’s wheat milling and pasta business, equips women with baking and business management skills, empowering them to build sustainable livelihoods.

Graduates undergo rigorous training, including certification through the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and now benefit from added support through a partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Abhishek Singh, Business Head of Olam Agri in Nigeria, highlighted the extensive reach of the programme: “We’re offering free training in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano, covering baking skills, business management, and profitability strategies through our Olam Bake Well App.

“This comprehensive approach ensures that participants from various regions are equipped to thrive as entrepreneurs.”

Charles Odii, Director General of SMEDAN, commended Olam Agri’s contributions, saying, “This programme supports the Federal Government’s poverty eradication and food security agenda. By developing nano and micro-entrepreneurs, Olam Agri creates a ripple effect of economic growth and empowerment.”

Chinwendu Ogu, State Coordinator for NABTEB, commended Olam Agri for its commitment to skill development, stating, “Olam Agri’s partnership with NABTEB showcases its dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s human capital.”

Anil Nair, Managing Director of Olam Agri in Nigeria, underscored the company’s vision.

“As a business rooted in Nigeria, we believe in the country’s potential for human capital growth. Our investments in people and food value chains align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for socioeconomic development. Seeing women empowered with skills that elevate their economic roles is deeply rewarding,” Nair said.