Mo Thompson’s Consulting has unveiled an ambitious initiative aimed at supporting 10,000 micro and small businesses run by wives of military and police officers across Nigeria. This program seeks to equip these women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentorship, and resources needed to build sustainable and scalable businesses.
Speaking at the launch event held at ICAN House, Lagos, Senior Partner Mohammed Thompson highlighted the difficulties faced by small business owners in Nigeria. He pointed out that many MSMEs collapse within two to three years due to poor planning and a lack of structured business strategies. “Many entrepreneurs start with money and an idea, but without a structured plan, their ventures struggle to survive,” Thompson noted. This initiative aims to provide structured business education, mentorship, and funding opportunities to help women entrepreneurs in military and police communities overcome these challenges.
Thompson, who has a personal background in military environments, emphasized that businesses within barracks often struggle to expand beyond their immediate surroundings. Through this initiative, Mo Thompson’s Consulting seeks to bridge this gap by offering hands-on guidance and access to business expansion strategies.
The program will cater to members of key associations, including:
Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA)
Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA)
Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA)
Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA)
Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA)
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A phased approach will be adopted, ensuring nationwide participation. In the first year, 2,000 women will be onboarded, with more added in subsequent years. To enhance the impact of this initiative, Mo Thompson’s Consulting is partnering with key institutions such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Bank of Industry, and the Ministry of Trade and Investment. These collaborations will connect business owners to government intervention programs, funding opportunities, and business development resources.
The program will be delivered through a mix of virtual learning, mentorship, and in-person engagements to ensure accessibility for women across Nigeria. Thompson stressed the importance of a blended learning approach, stating, “Many of our activities will be online to ensure wider participation, but we will also conduct in-person sessions across different states when needed.”
One of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs is access to funding. This initiative will not only educate business owners on available funding opportunities but also guide them through the application process and ensure proper utilization of funds. “We don’t just help people apply for funds; we mentor them and ensure the money is used as intended,” Thompson emphasized.
The consulting firm’s team of experts spanning grant writing, financial advisory, technology, and legal services will provide end-to-end business support. From business registration and financial planning to digital transformation and scaling strategies, women entrepreneurs will receive the tools needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
With this initiative, Mo Thompson’s Consulting aims to redefine business success within Nigeria’s military and police communities, empowering women to build profitable and sustainable ventures that extend beyond their immediate environments.
