The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has launched a new solar-powered Fashion Hub in Abuja aimed at supporting young Nigerians in the fashion industry.
The state-of-the-art facility is located at SMEDAN’s Idu office and features a 120 KVA mini-grid powered by locally manufactured solar panels, providing 24-hour uninterrupted electricity to users.
According to the agency, “This is one of the government’s empowerment programmes,” offering fashion entrepreneurs access to modern garment-making machines, warehousing, and subsidized workspaces for just N500 per day. The initiative is designed to reduce overhead expenses for young designers, improve their productivity, and support growth in Nigeria’s textile and fashion sector.
In support of this development, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) is partnering with SMEDAN to raise awareness about the facility. The collaboration is part of the NOA’s “7 for National Values Charter Series,” which promotes government-led initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods across the country.
Speaking on the potential impact, SMEDAN highlighted that, “Fashion entrepreneurs can now benefit from discounted nationwide distribution partnerships,” which allows them to expand their market reach without bearing high logistics costs.
To use the Fashion Hub, tailors or individuals interested in learning fashion only need to bring their National Identification Number (NIN) to the Idu office.
how to benefit as a tailor or interested to learn fashion:
i. Just walk in to Idu at SMEDAN’s office with your NIN.
ii. They will allocate you a sewing machine. You can operate it 24hours.
iii. Why giving yourself headaches of paying a SHOP at Wuse or Garki or Kado or Gwagwalada markets?