Unyielding Resilience: Nigerian Fashion Designer Adapts and Thrives with UN Support

January 11, 2024

Esan's journey received a substantial boost when she became a beneficiary of the UN Basket Fund project

Meet Esan Temiloluwa, an accomplished fashion designer based in Ibadan, whose remarkable journey during the pandemic has become an inspiring tale of adaptability and community impact. Faced with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Esan took a courageous step into uncharted territory, redirecting her creative talents towards producing face masks and essential personal protective equipment (PPEs) as a means to sustain her business and support her dedicated staff.

The pandemic initially cast a shadow of uncertainty over her business. She found herself deeply concerned about the livelihoods of her employees, many of whom relied solely on their jobs with her. Esan's empathetic and forward-thinking approach led her to contemplate innovative ways to assist her team. She pondered what would be both practical and needed by households in these challenging times.

In her own words, "When Covid started, I felt bad, and my major concern was my staff. A lot of them depended on this job as their sole source of income. With businesses suffering and uncertainty looming, I brainstormed ways to provide financial support to them.

Simultaneously, I contemplated the shift in consumer priorities; people were focusing more on essentials like food than clothing. It struck me that we might no longer have occasions and celebrations to wear our traditional 'owambe' outfits, so I considered pivoting towards comfortable home and leisurewear."

Esan Temiloluwa, is an accomplished fashion designer based in Ibadan,

Her decision to produce face masks, face shields, and other PPEs turned out to be a game-changer. It not only allowed her to retain her dedicated staff but also had a significant impact on her community by supplying critical protective gear to health workers and households.

Esan's journey received a substantial boost when she became a beneficiary of the UN Basket Fund project, orchestrated by the United Nations and other partner agencies. With this support, her confidence in her business was rejuvenated. She received essential equipment, high-quality fabrics, and invaluable training from the UN's network of supporting partners, enabling her to elevate her operations.

Elated by the support from the UN, Esan remarked, "When I received assistance from the UN, I was elated. It gave me a renewed sense of hope for my business. It was a reassuring sign that there was a future for my enterprise. The support was multifaceted, including equipment, fabrics, and training from the

The UN support was multifaceted, including equipment, fabrics, and training

UN's partnering organizations (ILO, UN Women, UNIDO,WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNAIDS and UNFPA). This significantly transformed my business. Prior to this, I was running on passion; I wasn't running a business. After the training, I came back and trained my staff based on what I had learned. We had to re-strategize because, at some point, we were not making a profit. We paused and then started afresh. Now, I can proudly say I am a businesswoman."

Thanks to her unwavering dedication and the support received from the UN, Esan's revenue surged by approximately 35%. She and her team were able to supply over 200 scrubs, 8,000 face shields, and more than 80,000 face masks. Their workforce expanded, and production rates soared.

San and her team were able to supply over 200 scrubs, 8,000 face shields, and more than 80,000 face masks.

Despite the setbacks imposed by COVID-19, Temiloluwa's story embodies the power of resilience. Today, she has not only built a thriving business but has also made a profound impact on the lives of others, illustrating the strength and spirit of entrepreneurship in the face of adversity.