Embroidery, beyond its cultural significance, has the potential to be a substantial source of revenue to boost Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP).
This is according to an embroidery expert, Lukman Abdulsalam, who told Blueprint Weekend in an exclusive chat that with the growing demands for unique Bespoke products globally, “Nigeria can capitalise on this trend to maximise its benefits.’
Lukman also noted that with the federal government supporting local artisans and investing in design innovations and exploring new markets, “Nigeria can unlock the economic potentials of embroidery as this will create jobs, generate income and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.”
Abdulsalam, a graduate of electrical electronics from the University of Ilorin, disclosed that he switched into the embroidery business instead of waiting for white-collar jobs, adding that he has since then learnt different trades with no capital. According to him, but today I’m an employer of labour.
The expert, who partners with (FUTONG), a Chinese company, said further that has encouraged several youths in Nigeria to harness the opportunity in giving back to society, using the potential in them to generate income and improve the economic values of Nigeria and Nigerians.
“My aim is to reach out to ten states with fifty embroidery machines each for a start and that will reduce the numbers of youths in the labour market. This is because it will create over two hundred jobs per state and you know what that means in modern Nigeria.
“We have already reached out to the office of the president through the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Industrial Training and Development, Dr. Ayinde Adamson, who has promised to seal the partnership very soon,’ he said.
He emphasised the fact that what “is needed to explore in life is information which is the key data; because when you don’t have information, money is useless.” He, therefore, enjoined the youth to get information on what is always needed within their environment.
According to him, “there must be a need about something you’ll proffer solutions to; so, go for it and you’ll make an impact in your world.”
The embroidery businessman also explained that, “when we empower the youth, we will give them machines at a discounted rate.”
“So, for example, if we are charging 100 naira for you to use the machine, and we are in partnership with the government, we can charge 30 naira so that we will create more jobs,” he said.