{"id":18129,"date":"2026-06-20T13:02:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/from-drops-of-oil-to-drums-of-milk-zainab-aliyus-exciting-journey-to-agribusiness\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:53:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:53:30","slug":"from-drops-of-oil-to-drums-of-milk-zainab-aliyus-exciting-journey-to-agribusiness","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/from-drops-of-oil-to-drums-of-milk-zainab-aliyus-exciting-journey-to-agribusiness\/","title":{"rendered":"From drops of oil to drums of milk: Zainab Aliyu\u2019s exciting journey to agribusiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"
Zainab Aliyu with her goats<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the blistering heat that greets each morning in most communities in Northern Nigeria, Zainab Aliyu, a palm oil seller, dares the suffocating heat in her Ribadu Kauta Hore community in Adamawa State to make a living for herself and contribute to her husband\u2019s meager income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With her baby strapped to her back every morning, she traverses the length and breadth of her community, her tired eyes desperately scanning the horizon for patronage. However, despite the laborious daily ritual, she only earned peanuts, barely enough to alter the family\u2019s fortunes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, after years of toiling, the turning point came for Zainab one evening when a neighbor introduced her to an upcoming agribusiness training organized by IITA<\/a> through one of the Youth in Agribusiness projects. Determined to turn her flickering dream into reality, she said she journeyed a few kilometers to the screening venue the following day and got selected for the training. She said the training and support she received marked her transition to agribusiness and a better life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI used to sell red oil,\u201d she remarked. \u201cBut we were taught how to milk cows properly during the training. After the training, I began applying what I learned by milking cows, and my income increased, such that I could buy many things from the profit I realized. I bought maggi, pepper, salt, detergent, and soap. I also expanded my business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Zainab
Zainab Aliyu in front of her house.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That was not all; she said the project removed the milk marketing burden. \u201cIn the past, we had to carry our milk to town to sell, but now the project has been arranged for people who buy the milk from us,\u201d she said excitedly. \u201cThey trained and provided us with water, and we are grateful to them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said the project also provided guidance on how to manage their income. \u201cThey assisted us in opening bank accounts and taught us to divide our profit into three. The first part is to increase our capital, the second is for our personal and family needs, and the last is for our savings. This was what made me happy, and you know when you are happy, you shed tears of joy,\u201d she concluded amid tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On account of this, Zainab said she had been able to contribute significantly to her family\u2019s finances. \u201cThe training has greatly impacted me because now I can contribute to some of the family\u2019s needs. Sometimes, my husband comes to me when he is low on cash, and I give it to him. I cater to some of my children\u2019s responsibilities and assist my neighbors financially, especially during weddings and naming ceremonies. I am grateful for this opportunity as it is helping me become a responsible woman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Away from the routine of moving from street to street in the sweltering heat, she now has more time for her family. \u201cWhen I wake up at 5 am, I sweep the house, and after that, I milk the cow. Once I am done, I return home to do some chores. So, I can work while handling the affairs at my home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While appreciating her husband for his support, she stated, \u201cHe has been okay with it and very supportive. For instance, when I don\u2019t have capital, my husband supports me with some money to help boost my business. He provides for my needs, and it is only when he doesn\u2019t have that I assist with what is needed in the house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contributed by Jesutofunmi Robinson<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the blistering heat that greets each morning in most communities in Northern Nigeria, Zainab Aliyu, a palm oil seller, dares the suffocating heat in her Ribadu Kauta Hore community in Adamawa State.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":18130,"template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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