Life of Mary Nzimiro (1898-1993): Lessons for the Future of Women Entrepeneurship in South Eastern Region, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examines the business career and life history of Mary Nzimiro, who rose from petty trader to become a prominent merchant. She started her trading career in the 1920s in Oguta. By 1948 she had become the principal agent of the UAC for the entire Eastern Nigerian Region, and represented the Company in Ghana and Sierra Leone. With a monthly turnover of 6,000- 8,000 pounds, she recruited, trained and financed other women traders and assisted other women to obtain credit from the European commercial firms. She invested her money in real estates, education, and philanthropy. She carved out a place for herself in the annals of South-Eastern Nigeria in the area of commerce, for which there are lessons to be learnt for the enhancement of the future of women entrepreneurship in the South Eastern Region of Nigeria. The data for the study were obtained from oral interviews and a variety of secondary sources.

Keywords: Women; Entrepreneurship; South Eastern region; Lessons learnt; Mary Nzimiro

International Journal of Development and Management Review (INJODEMAR) Vol.7 June 2012