EMMA Project Holds Second Session in Abuja, Equips Rural Women Traders with Smartphones for Digital Empowerment.
The EMMA Project, a collaborative initiative between Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) in the United Kingdom and Nigeria’s Premier Private University, Igbinedion University, Okada, recently conducted its second successful session in, Maitama, Abuja.
The program, focused on encouraging peer mentoring among women traders and farmers, brought together over 30 rural women participants. through a transparent balloting system, several lucky attendees received smartphones to support their business growth, improve connectivity, and help bridge the digital divide in rural communities.
The EMMA Project – Electronic Moni-Mata – initiative aims to empower rural women by combining academic expertise with community outreach. It promotes sustainable development through skills enhancement, peer-to-peer learning, and access to modern technology for business operations.
In a remark on behalf of the EMMA team, Dr. P.L. Ozor (PhD) expressed deep appreciation for the continues support from the Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye PhD, FAS, on the project. The EMMA project underscores the value of fostering strong academic-community partnerships.
The Abuja session builds on the project’s momentum, following an earlier event held in Okada, where the Vice Chancellor also participated in empowering rural women with digital tools.
By providing smartphones and promoting peer mentoring, the EMMA Project seeks to enable women traders and farmers to expand their markets, access information, manage finances more effectively, and build supportive networks — all critical steps toward economic inclusion and long-term sustainability in Nigeria’s rural economies.
The collaboration between the UK-based Liverpool John Moores University and Nigeria’s Igbinedion University Okada exemplifies the power of international-academic partnerships in addressing local development challenges, particularly gender-focused empowerment and digital inclusion.
The EMMA team expressed gratitude to all partners and participants and anticipates further sessions and expanded impact in the coming months.
