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Purpose The study explores the multi-dimensional landscape of women's poverty and their struggles for economic security within the realm of the informal economy. Women are battling with the problem of domestic violence as a result of being dependent on their husbands because they lack economic independence, security and empowerment. Consequently, they need to devise a means of livelihood for survival. The aim of this study is to explore whether engagement of women in Ogi business could assist in achieving economic security in rural communities in Ilorin East, Kwara state, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a survey design with a qualitative method utilizing in-depth interviews for data collection. The purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. The sample of this study consisted of 50 participants (women producing Ogi) from 12 communities in Ilorin East, Kwara State, Nigeria. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings The findings revealed that the majority of the Ogi producers are primarily motivated by economic necessity and the need to achieve economic independence. While they were making earnings from the business, the majority of them complained that their earnings were not enough to meet their major family needs. The study concluded that women engaging in Ogi business still lack economic security, perhaps due to low production capacity. Therefore, the study recommended that the government and relevant NGOs should introduce energy-efficient modern technologies, offer community-based training to educate them on how to use those technologies and provide reasonable financial assistance to improve their production capacity. When the production increases, the probability of improved revenue and profits is higher. Practical implications Therefore, the study recommended that the government and relevant NGOs should introduce energy-efficient modern technologies, offer community-based training to educate them on how to use those technologies and provide reasonable financial assistance to improve their production capacity. When the production increases, the probability of improved revenue and profits is higher. Originality/value To the best of the researchers' knowledge, while there are many studies on the informal economy, women empowerment and women's poverty, there is no specific study on women engaging in Ogi business as a means of achieving economic security. The study makes contributions to existing studies on the importance of developing the informal economy in rural communities to achieve economic security for rural women.