The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, through its Migrant Resource Centre (MRC), in collaboration with the German Government via the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has successfully trained 100 Nigerians in Digital and Fashion Illustration.
During the graduation ceremony held at the Nigerian-German Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, Mr. Ayomiku Olubude, GIZ Programme Component Manager for Lagos and the South-West region, encouraged the graduates to leverage networking to grow their businesses and income.
“In a programme like this, it’s important to connect with your classmates. Networking is essential in life. Without it, it’s hard to build meaningful opportunities. But once you begin to network, doors will start opening for better income and career growth,” he said.
He also advised them to collaborate with others when facing challenges beyond their expertise:
“If you get a client in an area you’re not familiar with, don’t lose that client. Reach out to someone more experienced so you can work together to deliver a good result. That’s how you learn and earn in the long run.”
Mr. Olubude further encouraged the graduates to seek mentors even outside their field and participate in similar programmes to expand their professional networks. He emphasized self-belief and continuous learning beyond classroom knowledge.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Director and Head of the Migrant Resource Centre in Lagos, Barrister Mrs. Maureen Ovie, represented by Migrant Advisor Mrs. Yetunde Adeniji, urged the graduates to keep honing their skills.
“Practice what you’ve learned—if you don’t, you may forget. Accept feedback from clients and use it to improve your work. This is how you stand out,” she advised.
She also emphasized the importance of individuality in brand building:
“The dresses you wore today were made by you. Maintain your voice, your style, and your brand—and use the power of the digital world to your advantage.”
Mrs. Jibola Abioye, one of the programme facilitators, added that the acquired skills could unlock opportunities in fashion design, content creation, and beyond. She urged the graduates to continue improving and applying their new knowledge.
Several beneficiaries shared their experiences from the six-week training.
Debby Omilabu, the overall best in Batch A, said the training changed her perspective:
“I had no prior knowledge of digital or fashion illustration. In six weeks, the organizers transformed our mindset and taught us how to create professional designs, which has significantly impacted my fashion journey.”
Kehinde James, another participant, expressed gratitude to the organizers, stating that she joined with little knowledge but discovered many opportunities within the fashion industry through the programme.
Similarly, Mr. Olowokanga Ayomide Joseph noted that he used to rely on hand-drawn sketches with clippers and pencils. Now, he can create professional digital illustrations, enhancing his value to clients.
Out of the 100 participants, 98 were female, and only 2 were male.
The programme climaxed with a vibrant fashion parade where the trainees showcased beautifully designed Ankara outfits. iPads were awarded to the best students in Batch A and B—Debby Omilabu and Nabi Omolara, respectively.
Each graduate also received ₦120,000 to cover transportation costs for the duration of the six-week training.
Oluchi Okwuego