In an interview, Zara Oladega, Managing Director of Zara Eniola Limited, expressed concerns about the current state of Nigeria’s fashion industry, stating that it is merely surviving rather than thriving. Despite being a sector with significant potential, Oladega highlighted that the fashion industry's contribution of $6.1 million to Nigeria's GDP is not only disappointing but also reflects an industry functioning far below its capabilities. She argued that this figure is overly modest, especially when considering Nigeria’s large population and the vibrant youth demographic that could drive the industry towards greater heights.

Oladega's comments came in response to the recent announcement by the Federal Government regarding the financial impact of the fashion sector on the country's economy. While acknowledging the factual basis of the government’s statement, Oladega emphasized that such a low contribution is alarming in comparison to other countries, particularly when evaluated against global fashion standards. She noted that Nigeria should be contributing between 50 to 100 times more to the GDP based on its population size and potential market.

In her evaluation, Oladega pointed out that even nations with smaller populations, such as South Africa, perform significantly better in terms of fashion industry contributions to GDP. This raises questions about the support and policies in place for the Nigerian fashion industry and suggests a lack of strategic investments that could harness the sector's true potential. The conversation around this issue underscores the need for greater emphasis on developing the industry to achieve a level of contribution that matches its vast capabilities and market size.