What began eight years ago as a simple decision to make kuli-kuli for her children’s breakfast has grown into a thriving enterprise. Operated by Hajiya Fatima Abubakar from Soje ‘A’ in Kpakungu, Minna, Niger State, the business now provides income for her family and livelihood for 10 employees.
A native of Niger State, Fatima said the idea came from her everyday experience at home. Instead of buying kuli-kuli from other producers, she thought of making it herself and turning the familiar household snack into a source of income.
She started alone with just five mudus of groundnuts. The venture soon proved profitable because the groundnuts yielded two products: kuli-kuli and groundnut oil. After extracting the oil, she processes the remaining paste into kuli-kuli, earning income from both.
Initially, the kuli-kuli was for her family, but neighbours soon developed interest and began placing orders. Encouraged by the response, Fatima started promoting her products, while her children helped advertise the business on social media.
As orders increased, so did production. Fatima said she now produces about one bag of kuli-kuli daily, with output rising to between five and 10 bags when she receives bulk orders.
Orders now come from beyond her immediate community, including Lagos, Ibadan and Kwara. Groundnut oil has also become a major product, giving customers another reason to patronise her.
The enterprise has grown from a one-woman operation into a small business employing 10 workers, all of whom are on monthly salaries.
“I started alone, but today I have 10 workers who are on monthly salary,” Fatima said, adding that she hopes to create more jobs as the business expands.
For her, the most remarkable part of the journey is how an ordinary household need became an opportunity. What began as a way to provide breakfast for her children has become a livelihood for her family and a source of employment for others.
After eight years in the business, Fatima plans to increase her production capacity and reach more customers while continuing to produce kuli-kuli and groundnut oil.
Her experience shows how entrepreneurship can emerge from everyday life, a simple observation, a modest beginning, and the willingness to turn one raw material into multiple products and a sustainable source of income.
Hajiya Fatima Abubakar’s business also demonstrates how Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can contribute to revenue generation and economic growth in Niger State. By transforming locally sourced groundnuts into marketable products, the enterprise creates value within the state while providing employment.
It also supports other economic activities through the purchase of raw materials, packaging, transportation and marketing, while sales to customers within and outside Niger State expand the market for locally made goods. As the enterprise grows and becomes more formalised, it can further contribute to government revenue through applicable taxes, levies and business-related fees, while strengthening the state’s agricultural value chain.
