Abia State Governor, Alex Chioma Otti, has empowered 4,000 trainees under Cohorts 3 and 4 of the Fashion Future Program (FFP), reinforcing the state’s push to position Aba as a leading hub for fashion manufacturing and creative enterprise in Nigeria.
Follow us on Google News
The governor made this known on April 29 at the Enyimba International Stadium during the graduation ceremony of the beneficiaries, trained under the FFP initiative delivered by Ethnocentrique Limited in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and the Abia State Government.
The programme, which has now trained 4,000 young Nigerians across the two cohorts, is designed to combine technical fashion skills with enterprise development, positioning participants not just as artisans but as contributors to a broader industrial value chain.
Speaking at the event, Otti said the empowerment of the trainees represents a deliberate strategy to unlock the economic potential of local talent while reducing unemployment and poverty in the state. He noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s economic vision of building a productive youth population capable of driving sustainable growth.
“The successful graduation of our sons and daughters from the Fashion Future Program (FFP), delivered by Ethnocentrique Limited with support from Mastercard Foundation and the state government, is a landmark progress,” Otti said.
“This initiative has proven to be a masterclass in talent incubation, business development and enterprise exposure. I am impressed with the structure, organisation and the hands-on delivery model.
“The most interesting thing for us is that FFP represents a preferred empowerment outlook, which targets the holistic development of the human faculties, expanding the capacity of individuals to imagine, create and bring forth new ideas.”
Beyond skills acquisition, the governor emphasised that the programme is structured to cover the entire fashion value chain, from production and craftsmanship to market access and business scaling.
While congratulating the 4,000 graduates of the 2026 cohorts, he said the decision to situate the programme in Aba reflects a strategic commitment to deepen the city’s longstanding reputation in garment production and local manufacturing.
“It speaks to the sincerity and commitment of the drivers of the initiative to make genuine impact, hone the skills of our young designers and set them up for dominance on the global fashion stage,” he said.
“It is indeed fulfilling that the project is looking beyond talent development, but on the entire value chain, from craft to the marketplace, boardroom to policy spaces, connecting dreamers, platforms and financiers.”
Otti also used the occasion to announce complementary measures aimed at supporting the newly empowered beneficiaries and the wider fashion ecosystem. He disclosed that the state government would soon roll out an integrated campaign to promote Made-in-Aba products, particularly fashion and lifestyle accessories, to boost local demand and international visibility.
“This campaign will highlight the creative changes of our local entrepreneurs and the extensive economic benefits of their offering over foreign competition,” he said.
“I’ve also directed that funds be allocated to develop and equip the production hubs around the State, especially in Aba. You can also be sure that the fashion industry will be a prime beneficiary, because we are mindful of our comparative advantage in this regard.”
In addition, the governor confirmed that resources have been mobilised to ensure that the ENASCO facility operates at full capacity, as part of efforts to strengthen industrial infrastructure that supports small and medium-scale producers.
Looking ahead, Otti indicated plans to scale the programme further, revealing that discussions are ongoing with Ethnocentrique Limited and the Mastercard Foundation to expand the number of beneficiaries to about 8,000 in subsequent cohorts.
“This is one of the ways to engage our youth. This is one of the ways to ensure that unemployment is reduced, poverty level is reduced, the gross domestic product is increased and, in the long run, the internally generated revenue of the government is increased,” he said.
He also acknowledged the role of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in providing technical guidance and certification through its skills qualification framework, noting that this ensures the trainees acquire recognised competencies that can compete nationally and globally.
Country Director of Mastercard Foundation, Rosy Fynn, described the programme as economically significant, commending the Abia State Government for prioritising youth empowerment and inclusive growth. She noted that the partnership with Ethnocentrique Limited continues to demonstrate measurable outcomes in skills development and enterprise readiness.
Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of Ethnocentrique Limited, Irunna Ejibe, said the 2026 edition of the programme, themed “Ahia 360,” is designed to move participants beyond basic production into global competitiveness.
According to her, the initiative focuses on identifying and nurturing talents capable of producing high-quality goods for both local consumption and export, thereby elevating the profile of Aba and Abia State in the global fashion market.
“This initiative is not only to teach our young people how to produce locally made products, but to discover talents that would produce and ensure that their products are exported, and that Aba and Abia State are recognised all over the globe,” she said.
Ejibe added that the programme maintains a strong inclusion component, with People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), including individuals with hearing and speech impairments, actively participating in the training and gaining economic independence.
She described the graduates as “the economy of Aba,” stressing that they represent a new generation of entrepreneurs who will drive industrial expansion and innovation in the state.
The graduation ceremony featured exhibitions and runway showcases of garments produced by the trainees, demonstrating the practical outcomes of the programme’s hands-on approach and reinforcing its role as a pipeline for scalable fashion businesses.
Nigeria Startup News reports that with 4,000 beneficiaries already empowered and plans underway for further expansion, the Fashion Future Program is emerging as a central pillar in Abia State’s strategy to leverage creative industries for economic transformation.
