Ebi-Bella at 17: Fashioning empowerment, Opportunity in Nigeria

The transformative power of fashion as a tool for grassroots empowerment came to the fore as renowned fashion designer and entrepreneur, Benedicta Ejor, marked 17 years of impactful work through her creative enterprise—Ebi-Bella’s Fashion Place—in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Ejor, who began her journey in 2008 with a passion for beadwork and millinery, has steadily grown Ebi-Bella into a reputable fashion brand with a national reputation for training, mentoring, and empowering women and youth through vocational skills.

“I started by learning to make hats and beads while in school,” she said. “That passion naturally evolved into clothing, and from there, it became a full career in fashion.”

Driven by a commitment to community development, Ejor’s work has shifted the perception of fashion from an informal trade to a structured and viable profession. Her influence has contributed to a new narrative where even university graduates and professionals now proudly embrace fashion as a career path.

As the Nigerian economy grappled with inflation and import challenges, Ejor seized the opportunity to scale her production locally. Her garment line now produces custom T-shirts, uniforms, and branded fashion items—all made in Nigeria.

“When importation became too expensive, we began producing locally,” she explained. “It was a bold move, but we’ve shown it’s possible to succeed without going overseas.”

Ejor’s passion is not only entrepreneurial but also humanitarian. Through her Ebi-Bella Fashion School Scholarship Scheme, she offers free training to aspiring designers from low-income and marginalised communities—a reflection of her commitment to inclusive development and youth engagement.

One of the scholarship beneficiaries, Confidence Atasie, expressed her appreciation for the life-changing opportunity:
“I’ve always had a passion for fashion, but I never had the means to pursue it. Thanks to this scholarship, I now believe in my future.”

Another trainee, Mrs Imoyani Jane Odoyi, a widow and civil servant, shared her experience:
“A friend invited me to one of Ebi-Bella’s events. I didn’t even know who she was, but that day changed my life. I finally have the chance to learn a skill I’ve always dreamed of.”

Despite challenges such as erratic electricity supply and high operational costs, Ejor has remained steadfast in her mission. “Sometimes we had to divert funds just to run generators, but giving up was never an option,” she said.

Now at 45, and with nearly two decades of experience behind her, Ejor is focused on legacy—ensuring that more Nigerians, especially women and youth, can access the skills and support they need to thrive.

Her story aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which promotes local content development, inclusive economic growth, and national rebranding through grassroots empowerment and innovation.

Ejor’s journey is a compelling reminder of how individual vision, resilience, and purpose-driven enterprise can address unemployment, restore dignity in vocational work, and inspire a new generation of Nigerians. By spotlighting local talent and investing in community development, she is helping to reshape the narrative around fashion as both an economic driver and a tool for national transformation, one stitch at a time.