Doris Okigbo

A pioneering Nigerian entrepreneur who revolutionized the textile industry and championed women's economic empowerment in post-colonial Africa

Dr. Doris Okigbo (1925-2012) was a visionary Nigerian entrepreneur and social reformer whose contributions to the textile industry and women's economic empowerment left an indelible mark on post-colonial Africa. Born in Lagos during British colonial rule, she defied societal expectations by earning a degree in chemistry from the University of Ibadan before pursuing textile engineering studies in the UK. Returning to Nigeria in 1958, she founded Nigerian Textile Mills, the first indigenous-owned textile manufacturing company in West Africa. Her innovative use of locally sourced cotton and modern production techniques reduced reliance on imported fabrics, creating over 1,500 jobs and spurring economic growth in the early years of Nigerian independence.

Okigbo's true legacy lies in her advocacy for women's economic participation. She established the Nigerian Women's Chamber of Commerce in 1962, providing training and mentorship to female entrepreneurs. Her UN Commission on the Status of Women address in 1975 emphasized the critical role of women in economic development, influencing policies across the continent. Despite facing opposition from male-dominated industries and political instability during the Biafran War, she maintained her factories' operations through innovative barter systems and community partnerships.

Her leadership inspired generations of African businesswomen, including current Nigerian textile magnate Bolanle Austen-Pélerin. Okigbo's story is chronicled in Pioneers in African Entrepreneurship, a seminal work on early African business innovators. Today, her legacy is preserved through the Doris Okigbo Foundation, which supports STEM education for girls in rural Nigeria.