Ruth Ozioma Chidiebere is the founder of Extraordinary Female and Extraordinary Stitches. In an interview, she shares her experiences tackling the challenges of building sustainable ventures, addressing period poverty, and expanding opportunities for women and girls in Nigeria.
What inspired you to establish Extraordinary Female in 2018, and how has your vision for the organisation evolved over the years?
Extraordinary Female was established in 2018 to create a platform where women could be celebrated, inspired, and reminded of their potential. Starting with the Gathering of Extraordinary Females, the initiative expanded in 2021 to include the Face of Extraordinary Female and the Extraordinary Female Awards. Today, the organisation also runs the 'Pad a Girl Child' initiative as part of its community outreach efforts.
The vision has grown beyond organizing events into building a sustainable platform that empowers women, supports young girls, and creates lasting societal impact.
How does Extraordinary Female ensure that its programmes translate into tangible opportunities for women beyond awards and recognition?
Recognition serves as a starting point rather than the final destination. The platform aims to provide visibility, boost confidence, build leadership skills, and foster valuable connections. Through initiatives like the Face of Extraordinary Female and the Extraordinary Female Awards, the platform highlights emerging talents and contributions, while ongoing efforts focus on building stronger partnerships for mentorship and business development.
What measurable impact has Extraordinary Female made in the lives of women who have participated in its programmes?
Since its inception, the initiative has grown from a simple gathering into a multi-faceted platform. Successfully executing the fifth edition of the awards in 2025 marked a significant milestone. Through community outreaches like 'Pad a Girl Child', the organization has supported rural schoolgirls facing menstrual hygiene challenges, while continuing to measure and document its long-term societal impact.
What challenges have you faced in sustaining a women-focused advocacy organisation, particularly in securing funding and corporate partnerships?
Securing consistent financial and institutional support remains a major hurdle. Navigating these difficulties has required resourcefulness, persistence, strategic communication, and relationship-building with corporate organizations and foundations that value investment in women and girls.
Through Pad a Girl Child, you address menstrual hygiene among underprivileged schoolgirls. What more needs to be done to tackle period poverty and its impact on girls’ education?
Raising broader awareness and making sanitary products affordable and accessible are critical steps to preventing girls from missing school due to period poverty. Addressing this issue requires collaborative efforts involving the government, educational institutions, businesses, and foundations to improve sanitation facilities and eliminate the stigma surrounding menstruation.
As the founder of Extraordinary Stitches, how have you navigated the challenges of building a sustainable fashion business in Nigeria?
Starting from a home setup with a manual sewing machine and basic tools, the fashion venture highlights that beginners do not need everything in place to start. Operating in Nigeria brings challenges regarding material costs, equipment access, and funding, which require business discipline, consistency, and adaptability.
How do you balance your entrepreneurial ventures with your commitment to women’s empowerment and social advocacy?
Balancing business and advocacy involves strategic prioritization, time management, and building strong operational teams. Both sectors serve as different channels for creating value, enabling personal growth while contributing meaningfully to society.
How has your involvement in international entrepreneurship platforms shaped your approach to business and women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria?
Engaging with networks such as Flux Global Entrepreneurship Magazine Ventures has broadened perspectives on visibility, strategic relationships, and the necessity of access to knowledge, networks, funding, and markets for sustainable enterprise development.
As you prepare for the sixth edition of the Extraordinary Female Awards, what are your plans for expanding the organisation’s reach and impact across West Africa?
Scheduled for December 2026, the sixth edition aims to strengthen existing foundations, forge strategic partnerships, and expand collaborations across West Africa to connect women with resources supporting their growth.
Your personal philosophy is, "In as much as I am content with what I have, I do not settle for less." How has this principle influenced your journey as an entrepreneur and advocate for women?
Gratitude for current progress should not hinder the pursuit of greater possibilities. This principle has fostered resilience, patience, and continuous improvement, driving efforts to create lasting opportunities and leave a positive mark on society.