Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has empowered thousands of young Nigerians through skills training while announcing a comprehensive campaign to promote and globally market Made-in-Aba fashion and lifestyle products.
Governor Otti made the announcement on Wednesday at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba during the grand graduation ceremony and Fashion Games 2026 for 4,000 youths who successfully completed the latest cohort of the Fashion Future Programme (FFP). The programme, driven by Ethnocentrique Limited in collaboration with the Abia State Government and supported by the Mastercard Foundation, equips participants with world-class skills in fashion design, production, enterprise development, and market access.
The governor revealed plans to expand the initiative, targeting a total of 8,000 beneficiaries within the next year across subsequent phases. He also disclosed that an integrated Made-in-Aba campaign will be rolled out in the coming weeks to aggressively promote Aba-made fashion, garments, leather goods, and lifestyle accessories on both local and international markets.
“In the next few weeks, we shall roll out an integrated campaign to promote made-in-Aba products, especially Aba fashion and lifestyle accessories,” Governor Otti stated.
He emphasized that the campaign forms part of a broader strategy to transform Aba into a globally respected manufacturing and creative hub, restoring its historic place as the fashion and creative capital of Africa. The governor urged the graduates to apply their newly acquired skills, mentor others, and contribute to inclusive economic growth in the state.
Notably, the Fashion Future Programme has demonstrated strong inclusivity, with a significant number of women and 250 persons living with disabilities among the 4,000 recent graduands trained across the full fashion value chain.
This initiative aligns with Governor Otti’s administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, skills development, and the revival of Abia’s MSME sector, particularly in fashion, garment, and leather production. It is expected to create sustainable jobs, boost local entrepreneurship, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian-made products on the global stage.
The colourful graduation event featured a vibrant fashion show showcasing the creative excellence of the trainees, further highlighting Aba’s growing potential in the fashion industry.