Abuja: Nigeria’s effort to combat high youth unemployment is receiving a boost with the emergence of innovative solutions. One of such initiatives is embroidery, not just as a cultural craft, but as a tool for economic empowerment and job creation.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Lukman Abdulsalam, an entrepreneur and embroidery expert, is spearheading efforts to transform the trade into a structured, income-generating sector. He believes embroidery can move beyond aesthetics to become a key contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). At a recent exhibition in Abuja, Abdulsalam unveiled plans to establish embroidery hubs across 10 states.

Each hub will be equipped with 50 machines and is expected to create more than 200 jobs in each state, targeting unemployed youth and aspiring fashion entrepreneurs. The initiative has attracted the attention of the Office of the President. Ayinde Adamson, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Industrial Training and Development, has pledged government’s support, including subsidies for embroidery machines and provision of technical training.

Abdulsalam explained that access to embroidery machines, previously costing N100 per use, would be available at a subsidised rate of N30 in collaboration with the government. He believes this will reduce entry barriers and encourage more young Nigerians to take up the skill. Abdulsalam’s optimism is backed by global trends, with the embroidery services market in the U.S. and other countries showing significant growth.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council notes that the fashion industry in Nigeria is currently valued at more than 10 billion dollars. However, embroidery remains underdeveloped, with Nigeria exporting only 249,000 dollars’ worth of embroidery products in 2023. Encouragingly, the local embroidery sector is projected to grow significantly from 50 million dollars in 2025 to nearly 138 million dollars by 2033.

Drawing inspiration from successful international models, Abdulsalam, now known as the ‘Embroidery Chief’, has attracted international interest. At the Abuja exhibition, Mr. Michael Zu, a senior sales executive from a Chinese embroidery machine company FUTONG, announced a partnership to invest in Nigeria’s growing embroidery ecosystem. The proposed embroidery hubs will include hands-on training in digital design to bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.

This aligns with the federal government’s push to strengthen Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which contribute nearly 49 per cent to the GDP. The African Development Bank (AfDB) highlights the potential of Africa’s creative industries to generate significant revenue if adequately developed, an opportunity Nigeria is well-positioned to tap.

Despite challenges such as lack of access to electricity and digital tools, Abdulsalam’s initiative aims to empower young Nigerians. Civil society groups and agencies like SMEDAN are backing the idea, calling on the Federal Government to integrate embroidery into existing youth empowerment programmes. With plans underway to roll out embroidery hubs in 10 states, stakeholders are hopeful that the initiative could reposition embroidery as a vital part of Nigeria’s creative economy.