By Joseph Erunke

The Founder and Creative Director of Towbee Stitches, Miss Oluwatobi Ojo, has identified mentorship and entrepreneurial capacity building as critical to unlocking the immense potential of Nigeria’s fashion industry, saying the sector must move beyond creativity to deliberately nurture the next generation of successful business owners.

Ojo, a graduate of English Education from the University of Abuja, disclosed this in an interview in Abuja, where she recounted how she transformed a passion-driven venture launched during the COVID-19 lockdown into a thriving fashion brand now valued at about N10 million.

According to her, Towbee Stitches was established in 2020 with a vision not only to produce quality bespoke clothing but also to empower aspiring designers with the practical skills required to build sustainable fashion businesses.

“For me, fashion was never just about aesthetics. It was about the quiet power you feel when you wear something made just for you,” she said.

Specialising in bespoke outfits, bridal wear and custom-made designs, the brand now serves clients across Nigeria and in the diaspora, having produced more than 3,000 custom-made outfits for over 1,000 customers since its inception.

Ojo said the business has successfully executed both individual and bulk orders for weddings, corporate events and other special occasions, attributing its growth to an unwavering commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction despite rising production costs.

“Bespoke is slow, deliberate and personal. You’re not just selling a dress; you’re solving a problem,” she explained.

Beyond producing garments, the entrepreneur said Towbee Stitches has evolved into a training hub where young designers acquire practical skills in pattern drafting, fabric sourcing, customer relations, pricing and business management.

She stressed that many talented fashion designers struggle not because of a lack of creativity but because they lack the entrepreneurial knowledge needed to sustain profitable businesses.

“Beyond fashion, Towbee Stitches is a training ground. Many young designers have talent but don’t know how to price, manage clients, or produce without losing quality.

“My apprentices work on real orders and learn pattern drafting, fabric sourcing, customer service and business management.

“It’s one thing to teach someone to sew. It’s another to teach them to survive as an owner,” she said.

Highlighting the impact of the mentorship programme, Ojo revealed that one of her former trainees has already established a successful fashion brand,an achievement she described as more rewarding than receiving awards.

She also credited the 2023 Skyewise Foundation Entrepreneurship Grant with accelerating the growth of the business, saying the funding enabled her to expand her workspace, acquire modern equipment and strengthen her mentorship initiatives.

Entrepreneurship Grant, awarded under the Meet the CEOs Programme, supports innovative early-stage Nigerian businesses with strong growth potential and measurable social impact.

According to Ojo, Towbee Stitches met the programme’s rigorous selection criteria through a compelling business proposal that demonstrated innovation, sustainability, scalability and a clear expansion strategy.

“As a registered early-stage fashion enterprise with an established customer base, a proven track record and a clear expansion strategy, my business met the programme’s selection criteria,” she said.

Looking ahead, the entrepreneur disclosed plans to expand the brand’s bridal collections, adopt more environmentally sustainable fabrics and launch a digital mentorship platform to train aspiring fashion entrepreneurs across Nigeria.

“I don’t want to just leave behind clothes. I want to leave behind designers, entrepreneurs and a legacy of excellence,” she said.

Ojo’s journey from a lockdown startup to a fast-growing fashion enterprise reflects the increasing role of innovation, resilience and mentorship in shaping the future of Nigeria’s creative economy.