٠٠:٠٥:١٥Falmata Usman, 23, is famous in her native Mafa as a mobile phone repairer; a job that until recently would've been unthinkable for a woman in the region.
"Before I started, people said such business is not for women but we all know that these days business has no gender boundaries. What a man can do, women can do it too and this pushed me to do whatever I want to do with my life," she explained.
Falmata took a degree in business administration and then learnt how to repair phones despite initial negative attitudes from both the community and her family.
She became a business partner at a local repair shop and then started fixing phones herself. Over time, her parents and wider family came to support her, and she also had 10 female apprentices.
"Falmata encouraged us because they tried stopping her. She was bold and that inspired us to learn too and more girls are coming to join us. The business is taking care of me, I buy food and provide it to my family," said Aisha, one of her proteges.
Local customers were positive too, having previously had to travel for several hours to the nearest major town.
"Since they started fixing phones, everyone is happy. We thank God that more people around the world will see this. They are good at it, and that's why I brought mine to be repaired," one client commented.
The Mafa region, near the Chad border in northeastern Nigeria, was controlled by Islamist militant group Boko Haram until just a few years ago.
'Business has no gender boundaries' - Female Nigerian phone repairer breaks down barriers in male-dominated field
Falmata Usman, 23, is famous in her native Mafa as a mobile phone repairer; a job that until recently would've been unthinkable for a woman in the region.
"Before I started, people said such business is not for women but we all know that these days business has no gender boundaries. What a man can do, women can do it too and this pushed me to do whatever I want to do with my life," she explained.
Falmata took a degree in business administration and then learnt how to repair phones despite initial negative attitudes from both the community and her family.
She became a business partner at a local repair shop and then started fixing phones herself. Over time, her parents and wider family came to support her, and she also had 10 female apprentices.
"Falmata encouraged us because they tried stopping her. She was bold and that inspired us to learn too and more girls are coming to join us. The business is taking care of me, I buy food and provide it to my family," said Aisha, one of her proteges.
Local customers were positive too, having previously had to travel for several hours to the nearest major town.
"Since they started fixing phones, everyone is happy. We thank God that more people around the world will see this. They are good at it, and that's why I brought mine to be repaired," one client commented.
The Mafa region, near the Chad border in northeastern Nigeria, was controlled by Islamist militant group Boko Haram until just a few years ago.
Falmata Usman, 23, is famous in her native Mafa as a mobile phone repairer; a job that until recently would've been unthinkable for a woman in the region.
"Before I started, people said such business is not for women but we all know that these days business has no gender boundaries. What a man can do, women can do it too and this pushed me to do whatever I want to do with my life," she explained.
Falmata took a degree in business administration and then learnt how to repair phones despite initial negative attitudes from both the community and her family.
She became a business partner at a local repair shop and then started fixing phones herself. Over time, her parents and wider family came to support her, and she also had 10 female apprentices.
"Falmata encouraged us because they tried stopping her. She was bold and that inspired us to learn too and more girls are coming to join us. The business is taking care of me, I buy food and provide it to my family," said Aisha, one of her proteges.
Local customers were positive too, having previously had to travel for several hours to the nearest major town.
"Since they started fixing phones, everyone is happy. We thank God that more people around the world will see this. They are good at it, and that's why I brought mine to be repaired," one client commented.
The Mafa region, near the Chad border in northeastern Nigeria, was controlled by Islamist militant group Boko Haram until just a few years ago.