Thirty young Nigerians have graduated from the first U.S.-supported Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy’s Fashion Entrepreneurship programme.

An initiative to build the capacity of budding fashion designers in Nigeria, the United States Consulate in Lagos plans to train about 100 fashion entrepreneurs in the next six months. 

Aged between 22 and 35, those selected will be trained on fashion designing and business management skills to help scale and sustain viable fashion businesses in Nigeria.  

Designed to foster entrepreneurial know-how, the programme is expected to encourage new thinking in fashion, design, consumer trends, business development, marketing and branding. 

The capacity building initiative will also provide opportunities to network with established industry players, alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, and established industry mentors.  

Delivering remarks at the graduation ceremony, held at the Enugu Window on America, U.S. Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Jennifer Foltz, said the Mission had a long history of supporting the promising entrepreneurship sector and small businesses in Nigeria.  

She congratulated the graduates for a successful completion of the programme, stating that “The fashion industry plays an important role in strengthening U.S.-Nigeria cultural ties and contributes significantly to growing Nigeria’s economy.” 

According to her, “The U.S. government believes in creating platforms such as this capacity building program to help support entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.”

In her remarks, the CEO of Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy, Omowale Ogunrinde, lauded the U.S. for supporting Nigeria’s entrepreneurs in the creative industry. 

Ms Ogunrinde, an alumna of the U.S. government sponsored International Visitors Leadership Program, noted that encouraging economic growth and job creation utilising the fashion industry is key to spurring economic prosperity.  

She stated that “Through this program, we are equipping the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs with the requisite skills and entrepreneurial know-how to enhance their success in the business world.” 

At the end of the program, participants were awarded with certificates, and will in the next couple of weeks, work with Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy by using their new skills and knowledge to scale their businesses.  The next cohorts of the fashion entrepreneurship programme will take place in Lagos and Port Harcourt.