The Rise of Mumpreneurs in the Islamic Medicine Industry

Abstract

The cultural standards favours men in business, relegating women to more domestic roles in northern Nigeria. Recently, a substantial shift has arisen as mumpreneurs, or mothers who also run Islamic medicine businesses, have begun to take control in the sector. In this connection, this chapter explores the contribution of mumpreneurs in the Islamic medicine industry within the context of northern Nigeria by investigating their motivations, prospects, and challenges. By employing qualitative techniques through observation and interviews, five mothers were purposefully selected and interviewed. The findings show that social and economic factors such as marriage status, unemployment, financial difficulties, the desire for personal growth, and independence motivate them to engage in this business, and they effectively address medical problems and create employment opportunities. Yet, they encounter challenges such as social stigma, gender discrimination, and traditionalist criticism. The chapter recommends that mumpreneurs promote the practice through modern innovations, and techniques.