Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has empowered thousands of young Nigerians with critical fashion and garment-making skills as part of efforts to reposition Aba as a global hub for quality manufacturing and creative excellence.
The governor made the commitment during the grand graduation and Fashion Games 2025 event organised by Ethnocentrique Limited in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
The colourful ceremony, held at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, celebrated the successful completion of training by 2,000 youths under the Fashion Future Programme.
Governor Otti announced that his administration will upscale the initiative significantly.
He stated that after the initial 2,000 graduates, the state will support the training of an additional 3,000, followed by another 5,000 trainees bringing the total to 10,000 skilled fashion professionals in the near future.
This aligns with the headline figure of empowering around 8,000 graduates through the expanded programme.
He pledged full government partnership with Ethnocentrique and the Mastercard Foundation to ensure the programme’s sustainability, describing it as a strategic move to harness Aba’s rich legacy in fashion, leatherworks, and garment production.
In addition, Governor Otti unveiled plans for an integrated Made-in-Aba campaign aimed at promoting locally produced fashion and other goods on the global stage.
The initiative seeks to transform Aba from a domestic production centre into a respected international manufacturing brand by improving quality standards, supporting MSMEs, and enhancing market access for Abia-made products.
The governor commended the organisers for the 10-month intensive training programme, which targeted young people, entrepreneurs, women, men, and persons with disabilities in Aba’s fashion cluster.
He expressed confidence that these interventions will create jobs, boost the local economy, and restore Aba’s pride of place as Africa’s fashion and creative capital.
The event featured vibrant fashion parades showcasing proudly Made-in-Aba designs, highlighting the creativity and readiness of the new graduates to compete both locally and internationally.
By
TheTimes Nigeria
