Tytler champions financial literacy to boost women-owned businesses
Dr Seyi Tytler, Executive Director of Emerging Communities, is promoting financial literacy and business management through HERTISAN, an initiative supporting women artisans and entrepreneurs.
The programme combines enterprise development with practical guidance for women who have technical skills but need help managing the financial demands of running a business. Its focus includes cost management, pricing, record-keeping and growth decisions.
It addresses a common challenge among small business owners: strong sales do not always translate into profitability or sufficient cash flow to meet obligations. For artisans, understanding these figures is crucial when purchasing materials, reinvesting earnings and expanding operations.
Under Tytler’s leadership, HERTISAN has supported women in trades including baking, fashion design, floristry, furniture making and event decoration. Emerging Communities says the programme helps participants build sustainable businesses around their existing skills.
The initiative graduated 200 women from its second cohort at a ceremony on October 16, 2026. An enterprise award scheme distributed ₦5 million across 23 awards, with micro-grants to help recipients invest in their businesses.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tytler said: “It is to help more women build businesses that can grow, withstand financial shocks and create lasting economic value.”
HERTISAN is exploring gamified and artificial intelligence-powered learning to complement its current delivery model and expand access to business and financial education, though the digital initiative remains at an exploratory stage. Emerging Communities is also considering partnerships with financial institutions, technology companies, development organisations and government agencies to extend the programme’s reach.
The initiative aims to equip more women with the financial knowledge and management skills needed to build resilient enterprises, navigate economic challenges and sustain growth.
Tytler’s academic research spans gender, social policy, governance, education and public policy; through HERTISAN, she applies this interdisciplinary background to women’s economic participation, particularly the capabilities needed to sustain successful enterprises.
