Nigeria’s job situation terrible…youths need to think out of the box – Blessing, CEO, Omowumi Threads

Like every Nigerian graduate, many thoughts ran through Aremu Blessing Omowumi’s mind when she completed her National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

There were fears over what lies ahead, given the abysmal unemployment situation in the country. But she refused to cave in to her fears. Today, the spirited native of Osun State in South-Western is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Omowumi Threads, a fast-growing fashion outfit.

In this interview with CRISPNG, she stressed the need for Nigerian youths to think out of the box to cope with present economic reality in the country.

How did Omowumi Threads come about and what services do you offer?

Omowumi Threads was cropped out of my name, Omowumi, and Threads. Threads symbolizes fashion, there is no fashion without threads obviously.

I stand for creativity at all levels of fashion — clothing specifically. At Omowumi Threads, we strive to satisfy our customers at all cost using quality and beautiful fabrics of various colours and concepts. We make sure fashion is spoken through our works on our customers, because we believe fashion is a language.

What has been your major challenge so far in the business?

So far, my major challenge has been the bargaining process with customers . Sometimes, it takes a lot of talking and haggling of price to convince a customer they would get exactly what they are paying for. I guess that’s due to bad experiences with designers in the past.

What’s your take on the unemployment situation in the country?

Actually, the job situation in Nigeria is terrible. It’s a matter of the survival of the fittest, especially having a strong network with those in top positions, which is referred to in local parlance as “connection.” The school structures are not helping the situation in any way.

They are configured in a way that they cannot provide the right atmosphere for most graduates to be employable. We have several cases of toxic lecturers maltreating students, dearth of facilities, poor funding among others. So, basically, surviving is a matter of those who are able to think out of the box.

The school structures are not helping the situation in any way.

What will you tell the youths?

My advice to Nigerian youths is to strive to be job creators and not job seekers like they say. Thanks.

Below are samples of her works: