Abuja: A leading embroidery expert and Chief Executive Officer of Embroidery Chief, Mr. Lukman Abdulsalam, has unveiled a national initiative to transform Nigeria’s fashion industry through skills training and access to modern embroidery technology. The initiative, unveiled in collaboration with two Chinese firms, Beijing Dahao and Futong, was announced during a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja with the theme ‘Stitching the Future: Building Sustainable Embroidery’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Abdulsalam stated that the initiative seeks to raise awareness about the untapped potential in Nigeria’s fashion sector while empowering aspiring designers through affordable access to embroidery machines and technical training. “This gathering is all about creating awareness. We want people to understand the opportunities in fashion, identify what is missing, and connect with the right people who can help them grow,” he said.
The plan includes the establishment of embroidery hubs in 10 states, beginning with Lagos and Kano. Each hub will be equipped with 50 embroidery machines available to users at subsidised rates. Abdulsalam emphasized that the initiative also includes comprehensive training in software design, machine operation, and technical maintenance. “We are not just distributing machines; we are training people, from creating designs to troubleshooting and maintaining equipment. This is about empowerment,” Abdulsalam stated.
The training programme is structured into three categories: software design (one month), machine operation (two weeks), and technical repair (one month), to ensure both theoretical and practical competence. Abdulsalam noted that this intervention is expected to support economic growth by promoting entrepreneurship, job creation, and export opportunities. “This can boost Nigeria’s GDP. Once people are trained, they’ll be able to design on shoes, bags, clothes, and decorative frames for both local use and export,” he added.
A representative of Beijing Dahao, Mr. Michael Zhou, conveyed the company’s interest in exploring investment opportunities in Nigeria’s growing fashion and textile market. Zhou, who addressed a similar event in Lagos, mentioned that Dahao, a global manufacturer of control systems for embroidery machines, is partnering with Embroidery Chief to deepen its presence in Nigeria. “This is my first time in Nigeria, and I see a lot of potential. We plan to present our findings to our headquarters to establish a branch office in Nigeria for better after-sales service,” Zhou remarked.
Dr. Tayo Bashir, Technical Adviser to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, expressed the Presidency’s interest in supporting the initiative. He highlighted that the engagement provided useful insights into areas where the government could collaborate with private stakeholders to promote industrial skills and economic development. “Embroidery is no longer just a craft; it is becoming a viable sector for job creation and entrepreneurship,” he stated.
Bashir encouraged young Nigerians to capitalize on the opportunities the initiative presents, referring to the sector as a “million-dollar industry.” “This is a great opportunity for Nigerian youth. Anyone with vision who gets involved now stands to benefit greatly as the industry grows,” he concluded.
