The Business of Being a Woman: Skills for Home, Office, and Beyond

At a recent women’s conference in Abuja, a male sales expert—who was the only man on his panel—shared his unique take on empowerment.Knowing he was the "odd man out," he broke the ice by asking the audience to see him as a supportive brother or son rather than an outsider. His main message was that while fighting for rights is important, women also need to master practical business and negotiation skills.He believes that financial independence is the ultimate game-changer. By becoming entrepreneurs, women gain the confidence and "transferable skills" needed to stand their ground in both their careers and their personal lives. Ultimately, he sees himself as an ally who believes that economic power is the best tool for overcoming inequality.Key TakeawaysPerspective: He positioned himself as a family-like ally to ease tension.The Shift: He argued for moving from "complaining about problems" to "learning business solutions."The Goal: Using money and skill-building as a way to gain leverage and respect.