Women, Stakeholders Advocate Investment in Plateau’s Coffee Industry as Blessing Nenman Receives Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The maiden edition of the Jos Women in Coffee Business Conference has ended in Jos, Plateau State, with participants calling for greater investment in the coffee value chain as a tool for women’s empowerment, job creation, and economic development.

Organized by Lingzhi Global Nigeria Limited, the conference brought together women entrepreneurs, coffee farmers, processors, marketers, and industry stakeholders to explore opportunities within the coffee industry while strengthening collaboration across the value chain.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer and Visionary Leader of Lingzhi Global Nigeria Limited, the Apostle of Wealth Mrs. Blessing Nenman, said the conference was designed to create awareness of the immense opportunities available in the coffee industry, particularly for women.

She noted that coffee is a daily consumable product with enormous potential for job creation, community development, and skills acquisition, adding that women account for about 70 percent of the global workforce in the coffee industry but remain largely unaware of their contributions and opportunities.

According to her, Plateau State women need to understand the entire coffee value chain from seed cultivation and harvesting to processing, roasting, marketing, and leadership. She stressed the importance of connecting farmers, processors, off-takers, and marketers to ensure coffee production becomes a sustainable source of income rather than a challenge for producers.

Also speaking, Toyin Wiggins, Project Leader of the Tony Wiggins Centre for Leadership and Mentoring Initiative, described the conference as an eye-opening platform that promotes women’s financial independence through coffee entrepreneurship. Expressing interest in venturing into coffee farming, he praised Mrs. Nenman for her expertise and commitment to developing Nigeria’s coffee industry.

A participant, Regina Pam, commended Lingzhi Global for equipping women with knowledge, leadership skills, and economic opportunities. She described the organization as a platform that has positively impacted her life and encouraged more women to take advantage of its programmes to become financially independent and community leaders.

Sharing her personal experience, beneficiary Helen Gontur Malo said joining Lingzhi Global transformed her life economically and socially. She recounted qualifying for an electric tricycle shortly after registering with the organization and said she has also benefited from business training and improved wellbeing through the company’s coffee products.

Malo urged women and young people to embrace opportunities in the coffee value chain, emphasizing that it has the potential to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and boost local economic development. She further appealed to the Plateau State Government to support coffee production initiatives, noting that Plateau produces some of the finest coffee in the world and has the capacity to become a leading coffee hub if properly harnessed.

A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Mrs. Blessing Nenman in recognition of her outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and the development of Nigeria’s coffee industry. The award was conferred by the Change Makers Impact Award and presented by its leader, Toyin Wiggins, who commended Nenman’s visionary leadership and dedication to transforming lives through innovation, mentorship, and economic empowerment.

The conference concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among farmers, processors, marketers, investors, and government agencies to unlock the full potential of Plateau State’s coffee industry while empowering more women to participate in every stage of the value chain.