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| A fashion model on the runway. |
It has long been
acknowledged even on a global scale that Nigerians are fashionable and stylish
people. Though the fashion industry that caters to them has long been neglected
by the government, it can no longer be said that it is treated with disdain and
lack of respect. And the capacity of the industry to create massive jobs and
generate foreign exchange earnings, boosting the national economy, can no
longer be ignored.
Nigeria has a
population estimated to be over 160 million people who need to wear clothes,
and underwear; use shoes, bags, fragrances, and other fashion accessories. It
is usually said that the purpose of fashion is to add value to the charisma and
presentation of a person. And Nigerians have never been known to slack on how
one could package the whole personality. It is probably not an over-statement to
say the popular maxim: “looking good is good business” is perhaps tailor-made
for them. They love to party, go to weddings in their latest clothes; even
events of religious matters present occasion for them to be properly and
gorgeously attired. Properly
facilitated, the huge potential for fast growth of the Nigerian fashion
industry has gone beyond the realm of idle speculations.
It is clear that apart from crude oil, fashion
as an industry can add immense value to the Nigerian economy. Clearly, it does
not come as a surprise that this huge potential has already attracted attention
from the financial community.
After all, a wise man said: “There’s money in anything about life that
is appreciated and developed.”
The Bank of Industry recently launched the N1 billion Fashion Fund for Nigerian
designers seeking funds to expand at the micro, small and medium-scale levels.
The bank saw an opportunity to support Nigeria’s fashion businesses to increase
their production volumes and quality, making them competitive substantially in
both the international and domestic markets. According to BOI’s Managing
Director/CEO, Rasheed Olaoluwa: “Nigeria’s fashion designers certainly have the
creativity, intellect, skills and drive to take Nigeria’s fashion industry to
the next level on the global fashion stage. They must be encouraged and funded
because many of them have received training in some of the best fashion schools
in the world.”
With leading designers
like Deola Sagoe and Ejiro Michelle Amos –Tafiri, amongst others of competent
ability, taking the global fashion community by storm, there is no doubt that
doors are also being opened for other Nigerian designers to enter, as they will
no longer be content to adjust themselves to an inferior status on the
international level.
Funmi Ajila-Ladipo,
national president, Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) says the potential of the
industry, worth over N2 trillion, is yet to be tapped into because of epileptic
power supply. She has long articulated and proposed for government intervention
on the need for a production hub and retail store that could accommodate about
70,000 tailors and designers. She says: “We need to bring so many talented
people we have all over Nigeria together in one place, and give them
opportunity. We want to manufacture, and stop consuming second-hand clothes
from other nations.”
With the renewed
confidence and bold exploits of the Nigerian fashion industry, it cannot be
denied there is no excuse for anyone talented or creative enough to shy away
from making his or her contribution to the industry. Fact, there are
shortcomings that require government intervention, but that should not frighten
anyone looking to make a profitable career in the industry – knowing that every
challenge is simply a masquerade for an opportunity.
Because it takes
fashion to complete a man/woman, it’s no exaggeration to say that for anyone
that is daring, creative and skilful enough,
there is always a fortune to be made in the Nigerian fashion industry.
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| Fashion model doing her thing. |
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