Meet The Woman Who Dropped Out of Unilag For Shoe Making

This woman is another witness that your handwork can take you farther than anything.. Shoe making is one of the trades you hardly find women engaged in. Meanwhile, Mrs Bukky Nosirudeen proves to be an exemption. She abandoned the university for the shoe making business in 1990.She speaks on what it takes for a woman to be in a business

How do you feel in a man’s world?

It is a challenge to be in the shoe-making industry which is rather dominated by men. I see it as a great opportunity and a challenge, and I believe I can achieve success, I’m happily coping with what men can do. I have the zeal to compete with my male colleagues and excel.

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What is responsible for lack of artisans?

Youths of nowadays don’t have the patience to learn work, but they want quick money. There are some of them who may consent to be trained but you must pay them well on daily basis. There is another category of unemployed youths who desire to earn fabulous amount without any reasonable justification in terms of labour and productivity.

Why can’t you engage youths and train them in shoe-making business?

Most of the youths don’t want to work but they want to have money and enjoy. Some want white-kola jobs where they will relax in an air-condition office and work without much stress. But the background of children is very important, and parents have vital role to play to make them responsible and what they desire them to be in life.

How can we curb the dearth of artisans in Nigeria?

Artisans need training, not short term, but to be sufficiently trained and be a well grounded professionals who know all aspects of footwear production, and such persons will have craving…

What does it take to acquire versatile skills in shoe making ?

It takes determination, patience, endurance and love for the job. All of these I have imbibed in the course of my training as a dedicated apprentice at Ajegunle.

As a married woman with children are you comfortable with strenuous job of producing foot-wears?

I developed interest in shoe-making business about 1990, when I paid a visit to my uncle at Ajegunle, Olodi-Apapa; as we got discussing I narrated how I finished my school certificate exam the previous year, and got admission to read a science degree course at University of Lagos, but had to withdraw as a result of financial challenges; 

What are your challenges and weaknesses of the job?

Lack of artisans (skilled labour), capital, financial aid from government and organisation that will

enable us train artisans to ensure expansion and growth.