Adesola Fabusuyi, founder and CEO of couture and bridal brand Trendencias Apparel, has called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle obstacles crippling Nigeria’s business environment, warning that entrepreneurs are losing ground under harsh conditions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Fabusuyi said the current climate is discouraging investment, slowing job creation, and weakening the country’s competitiveness. She highlighted unreliable power supply, high production costs, and limited access to finance as persistent barriers to growth.
“Unstable power supply is one of the biggest struggles. A sudden outage in the middle of production can throw off our timelines and affect clients waiting for their dream dresses,” she noted.
The designer also emphasized that Nigeria’s foreign exchange volatility poses an acute challenge for the fashion industry. “Couture and bridal fashion require exquisite fabrics, most of which are imported. With fluctuating exchange rates, what begins as a carefully planned budget often balloons into unforeseen expenses,” she explained.
On financing, Fabusuyi lamented that fashion brands rarely attract investors or bank support, unlike the tech industry. She urged the government to provide easier access to loans and grants that could sustain creative businesses.
She further pressed for streamlined regulations, reduced bureaucracy, and accelerated digital reforms to improve transparency and predictability. Strengthening the ease of doing business, she argued, would not only enable small and medium-scale enterprises to thrive but also boost investment, economic growth, and employment across the country.
