OVER the weekend, I witnessed what I can only describe as a quiet revolution, a business conference themed “Redefining the Future of Business in Arewa.” It was the first of its kind here in Kano, meticulously organized by a visionary young woman, Rahanatu Ahmad, a dynamic entrepreneur whose passion for youth empowerment in Northern Nigeria radiates through everything she does.
From the exquisite organization to the depth of knowledge shared, and the sheer magnitude of attendance, everything about the event was breathtaking. The hall overflowed with eager minds; the atmosphere buzzed with innovation, ambition, and hope. The energy was electric, a testament that a new generation has truly awakened.
Two decades ago, businesses in Arewa especially those run by women often thrived quietly in the shadows. Many did it shyly, fearfully, with hesitation. But as I looked around that hall, I realized that fear has no seat in today’s Arewa. This new generation of women is bold, unapologetic, and visionary.
They are no longer hiding behind cultural caution; they are rewriting the narrative of entrepreneurship in Northern Nigeria with courage, creativity, and class.
In a few years, I doubt many young people will even wait for government jobs. The same way companies once trooped to universities offering employment, we will soon see young business owners creating enterprises that employ others. The intentionality, innovation, and intelligence driving today’s entrepreneurs are unmatched.
And truly, we the youth are not asking for much from the government, only for an enabling environment to make business easier. Whether they like it or not, they are part of our story. When jobs weren’t forthcoming, we created them. When systems failed us, we built ours. We have become job creators, innovators, and solution providers.
Gone are the days of Baba Bu’s “lazy Nigerian youths.” That label has expired. We are builders, thinkers, creators and we are redefining what productivity means.
But as we rise, there’s one important topic we must confront, dream killers.
These dream killers aren’t always strangers or enemies. Often, they are people who love us deeply, parents, siblings, and friends, whose love sometimes comes wrapped in fear. Fear that we might fail, lose money, time, or face ridicule. In their attempt to protect us, they clip our wings.
They don’t see your vision; they see your risks. Yet, every successful entrepreneur knows that business is all about risk, calculated, courageous risk. We must learn to separate their concern from our conviction. Many times, they don’t talk you out of success because they hate you; they do it because they are afraid for you. But fear, no matter how loving, can still kill a dream.
I have experienced this myself. Some years ago, during a casual chat with friends, I mentioned my idea of selling akara and pap on weekends and tuwo “dumame” in the mornings, simple, homely, deeply Arewa.
One friend immediately said, “Who will buy dumame in Kano? Kano fa, it won’t work.” Another added, “Akara sellers are everywhere; yours won’t stand out.”
They didn’t understand that I wasn’t planning to sell ordinary akara, I envisioned a premium brand, something modern, branded, and appealing to both traditional and urban tastes. But I let their fears sink into me. I doubted myself and allowed that dream to die.
Years later, I saw someone else doing exactly what I once dreamed of, and it was thriving. That day, I learned a hard truth: your vision will not always make sense to others because it wasn’t given to them. It was given to you.
Dream killers don’t always come with malice. They come with logic, concern, and affection but if you let them, they can smother your fire.
Another thing that touched me deeply at the conference was the presence of Arewa husbands not just permitting, but supporting their wives. Many men came hand-in-hand with their wives, not as spectators but as their partners in purpose.
I met a woman who traveled from another town with her husband. He left everything behind just to stand beside her and cheer her on. Of course, he could have simply given her “permission” to attend and stayed home, which is also support but instead, he chose to be physically present. And he was not alone; there were many like him.
These men are changing the narrative.
In some places, this might seem ordinary, but here in the North, it feels profoundly symbolic. Because, truthfully, it hasn’t always been like this.
No matter how brilliant your ideas or how strong your drive, if your partner doesn’t support your journey, the road becomes heavier. Many dreams collapse before they even begin for this reason. So seeing this shift men who are not threatened by their wives’ ambitions but instead fuel them gives me hope.
Hope that the future we are building in Arewa is not only business-driven, but balanced, enlightened, and united.
To Rahanatu Ahmad, the woman behind this awakening, you are redefining what it means to be an Arewa woman. You are rewriting our collective story with vision, strength, and grace.
You are proof that one woman’s courage can awaken a generation.
You didn’t just organize a business event, you ignited a movement.
You are not only changing the business narrative in Arewa, you are creating a lasting legacy.
The future of Arewa business is not just bright, it is blazing.
Voice, just cleared its throat
- Kabara is a writer and public commentator. Her syndicated column, Voice, appears every Monday in the News Point Nigeria newspaper. She can be reached at hafceekay01@gmail.com.