Celebrating Women Trailblazers 2025: Halima Rabiu

This International Women’s History Month, Africa Matters proudly honours outstanding women who are reshaping their communities. Today, we celebrate Halima Rabiu, a transformative leader in youth empowerment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Nominated by Toluwalope Adesina, Halima’s dedication to creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs, especially women, makes her a true trailblazer.

With over seven years of experience at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) – Pan-Atlantic University, Halima Rabiu has dedicated her career to equipping young Nigerians with the skills and resources needed to build sustainable businesses. As an expert in entrepreneurship education and programme development, she has pioneered initiatives that empower young people to become problem solvers and catalysts for economic growth.

Understanding the transformative power of education, Halima led the development of an Entrepreneurship Programme course at Pan-Atlantic University, which has resulted in at least 30% of students launching businesses while still in school. This initiative is fostering a new generation of self-reliant, innovative, and impact-driven entrepreneurs.

Driving Women’s Inclusion in Tech & Business

Halima’s influence extends beyond academia. She has played a pivotal role in programmes designed to empower women and youth, including the Women in Tech Incubation Programme, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank. Through this initiative, she has ensured that women tech entrepreneurs receive the training and mentorship needed to thrive in Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem and compete on a global scale.

Additionally, as a founding member of the Transforming Nigerian Youths Programme, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Halima has helped thousands of young Nigerians understand the fundamentals of starting and sustaining businesses. This initiative has equipped many with the knowledge and tools needed to transition into dignified employment and entrepreneurship.

Why Halima Rabiu Deserves This Recognition

Toluwalope Adesina believes that Halima deserves to be recognised as an Africa Matters Trailblazer, not just for her exceptional work but for her unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for others. As Malala Yousafzai once said:

"It's not about giving people a voice, they already have one. It is about creating the space for their voice to be heard."

Halima embodies this principle by building platforms where young entrepreneurs—especially women—can access quality knowledge, resources, and mentorship.

Halima’s leadership is not just about professional development—it’s about creating spaces for young people to thrive. She actively mentors, supports, and advocates for aspiring entrepreneurs, ensuring that no one is left behind in Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Her impact is best reflected in the words of a programme beneficiary:

"The journey of completing the programme was challenging, but Halima reassured me that I could do it. Her encouragement gave me the push I needed."

Her journey—from studying at the University of Manchester to returning to Nigeria with a passion for social development—is a testament to her dedication to youth empowerment. By equipping young Nigerians with entrepreneurial knowledge, she is not only transforming individual lives but also driving sustainable economic growth in her country.