Roberta Edu: Why Women Need to Rethink Collaboration for Success

Roberta Edu: Why Women Need to Rethink Collaboration for Success

By Roberta Edu

As a feminist, entrepreneur, and tech expert, I have always advocated for women’s empowerment and equality. However, through my personal and professional experiences in Nigeria, I have observed a critical pattern—when it comes to success in business, politics, or life in general, strategic collaboration with men often yields more support and results than relying solely on women.

Many assume that my advocacy for women means I am against men, but the truth is, most of my key business relationships and life-changing connections have been with men. This is not to say that women do not support each other, but rather to highlight a deeper psychological and social conditioning that influences how women interact in competitive and professional spaces.

When I embark on a project, the first people I instinctively reach out to are often a mix of men and women—yet, the ratio tends to favor men. In my experience, once you set aside the extremely misogynistic men, more men are likely to support a woman’s growth than an average woman would. This is not a matter of personal rivalry but a systemic issue. African women, having been historically conditioned to look up to men for leadership and validation, often unconsciously undermine their own gender.

This mindset is deeply ingrained. Many women, even those in positions of influence, tend to champion men over their fellow women, regardless of competence. It is a learned behavior, stemming from generations of systemic gender imbalance. While there are progressive women who actively uplift others, the percentage remains relatively small.

For women aiming to break barriers, this reality must be acknowledged, not with bitterness, but with strategy. Success requires allies, and in the current landscape, men often serve as more reliable supporters. Women in disruptive or leadership roles must ensure they have solid male allies in their corner—men who will stand by them, advocate for them, and offer steadfast support when needed.

This does not mean women are incapable of supporting each other, nor does it absolve men of their role in perpetuating gender inequality. Instead, it underscores the need for women to be intentional about fostering genuine alliances while continuing to challenge and change the narratives that hinder collective female progress.

A clear example of this disparity is evident in social discourse. If I were to be criticized online today, it is likely that men, even those who regularly debate my views, would engage in a more structured and measured argument. Meanwhile, some women, who may have never engaged with my content before, might resort to outright dismissal or discrediting. This is not personal; it is simply a reflection of the broader inequality effect.

As we work towards closing the gender gap, women must recognize these systemic influences and actively work to dismantle them. By supporting each other more intentionally and challenging ingrained biases, we can create a more balanced and empowering environment for all. Until then, strategic collaboration remains key to success in today’s world.

Roberta Edu Calls for a Shift in Women’s Role in Sustaining Patriarchy

Roberta Edu Calls for a Shift in Women’s Role in Sustaining Patriarchy

 

Roberta Edu, the visionary CEO of Moppets Baby Food and an outspoken advocate for gender equity, is no stranger to speaking her mind. In a recent candid statement, Edu delivered a stirring critique of patriarchal systems, zeroing in on a seldom-discussed reality: the role some women play in perpetuating the cycle of oppression.

As a self-confessed feminist and a leader in Nigeria’s business landscape, Edu is well-versed in navigating both corporate and societal challenges. However, her latest comments tackle an issue that resonates far beyond boardrooms.

“I can understand patriarchal men,” she began, her tone measured yet firm. “I understand why a man would want to cling to that system. For many men, especially those who feel they’ve failed in life, patriarchy becomes a refuge. It’s their last bastion of power, the one place where they’re told they have value, even if it’s only in subjugating their wives. That, to them, is something to hold onto.”

Yet, Edu’s focus wasn’t solely on men. Instead, she directed her sharpest critique at women who, knowingly or unknowingly, enforce the same patriarchal norms that limit their own gender. Her words carried the weight of lived experience and a deep frustration with a system that often pits women against each other.

“The women who practice patriarchy—those are the ones I find hardest to stand. Their actions aren’t about loving men or upholding tradition; they’re about making sure no other woman enjoys the freedoms they were denied. If they couldn’t break free, they don’t want you to either,” she said.

Edu highlighted the insidious ways this mindset is passed down through generations. According to her, many of the restrictions women face today—whether in marriage, the workplace, or society—are upheld by older women indoctrinating younger ones. “Patriarchy has lasted this long because women, not men, have enforced it. Once a woman suffers under its weight, she often ensures that another woman must, too—sometimes out of bitterness, sometimes out of tradition, but always at a cost.”

She illustrated her point with a scenario familiar to many: women judging and ostracizing others who defy societal expectations. “You’ll hear them say things like, ‘Don’t marry that girl; she won’t respect you.’ It’s not about respect. It’s jealousy. They see a woman who’s bold in ways they couldn’t be, and they can’t stand it. How dare she ask for equality in her marriage? How dare she develop a voice? They didn’t, so why should she?”

Edu’s words were not just a critique but a call to action. She urged women who uphold patriarchal norms to take a step back and reflect on the harm they perpetuate. “To my dear women patriarchy queens,” she said with a mix of exasperation and hope, “count your losses and allow other women to be free. Stop saying, ‘Let her marry first.’ Some of us have married and are still standing tall, fighting to emancipate the gender that society tries to suffocate.”

For Edu, this conversation is personal. As the founder of Moppets Baby Food, a company dedicated to nourishing the next generation, she has built her career on the principles of care and empowerment. She has faced her share of challenges but continues to use her platform to amplify voices often silenced in the name of tradition.

Her remarks have sparked widespread discussion, particularly among women who have experienced similar pressures. Many have expressed gratitude for Edu’s boldness, seeing her as a role model for challenging the status quo.

Edu’s message is clear: the fight for gender equity cannot succeed without confronting the uncomfortable truths about how women themselves, knowingly or unknowingly, contribute to systemic oppression. As she puts it, “It’s time for us to stop holding each other back and start building a world where all women can breathe freely.”

Moppets Baby Food, under her leadership, continues to thrive as a symbol of progress, providing Nigerian infants with the nutrition they need to grow. But for Edu, her mission goes beyond food—it’s about fostering a society where every child, girl or boy, has the opportunity to live free from the constraints of a system that should no longer exist.