Sale of awara (soybean cake) has offered financial opportunity for many young girls in Kano State.

Across the metropolis, the sizzling sound of frying pans and the aroma of freshly prepared awara now fill the evenings, as teenage vendors turn the delicacy into a thriving business.

The trade required little capital, with basic items such as frying pans, cooking oil and charcoal stoves enough to start.

For many girls, it is not just a business, but a path to self-reliance.

Eighteen-year-old Aisha Musa of Hotoro quarters said she began selling awara with support from her mother.

“I prepare it in front of our house every evening, and the business is helping me,” she said with a smile.

Also, Zainab Abdullahi, 17, of Dakata quarters, said that the trade had become a way to support her parents and meet personal needs.

“Awara is simple to make, and people love it. I use the money to help at home and also pay for my school fees and other learning materials,” she stated.

On her part, 19-year-old Maimuna Suleiman, of Fagge, said she saved part of her earnings to buy household items ahead of her wedding.

“I keep some of the money I make to buy kitchen utensils and other things I will need in my home. It may be small, but it is helping me gradually,” she said.

Also, Rabi Isa, who is 20 years old, from Unguwa-Uku, noted that the business helped her contribute to household expenses.

“Before, I was just staying at home without any work. Now, I make awara and use the money to support my parents, and take care of some personal needs,” she said.

However, vendors lamented that the rising cost of soybeans and cooking oil pushed the price of awara from between N10 and N20 per piece to about N50.

They said the increase had reduced profit margins, though demand remained high.

Some customers, who spoke during an interview, described awara as affordable, nutritious and part of community life.

One of them, Bello Umar of Yankaba, said that the awara was tasty, easy to find and affordable.

“Even at N50, people still buy because it is cheaper than many other snacks,” he said.

Another customer, Mary Peters of Zoo Road, also said that the delicacy had become part of daily life.

“Children and adults enjoy it, and the young girls selling it are doing something useful instead of staying idle,” she added.

(NAN)