Nigerian fashion designer and founder of Vodi Group, Seyi Vodi, has recounted how he started his entrepreneurial journey with his N3,600 monthly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allowance.
He urged beneficiaries of a multi-billion-naira empowerment programme in Kwara State to embrace discipline, patience and prudent financial management.
Vodi spoke during the unveiling of a N4.2bn empowerment package by former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki-Gambari, in Ilorin.
The intervention comprised N1bn in cash and about N3.2bn worth of equipment and other items.
It also includes 150 vehicles and modern sewing machines presented as support for residents to improve their livelihoods and establish sustainable businesses.
Seriki, who is the Managing Director of Kursi Investments Limited, Abuja, also declared that the initiative was intended to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the event, Vodi said he began trading while serving as a corps member.
He said he used his modest monthly allowance to identify business opportunities and gradually build an enterprise.
He recalled travelling to Aba market in Abia State to purchase men’s boxers, which he subsequently resold to fellow corps members at a profit.
According to him, the experience taught him the importance of identifying opportunities, starting small and reinvesting available resources rather than waiting for substantial capital.
Vodi said his journey to business success was neither immediate nor effortless.
He noted that it took more than 26 years of hard work, discipline and gradual expansion to build his business to its present level.
“For my business, we grew step by step. It took me almost 26 years and more to get here,” he said.
He cautioned beneficiaries against diverting empowerment funds and equipment to luxury consumption, particularly expensive phones and other items that would not contribute to their economic growth.
“You have to be prudent. You need money to scale up your business. A beneficiary who receives an industrial machine can multiply it in the coming years if they are prudent,” he said.
The fashion entrepreneur also advocated skills-based empowerment.
He argued that providing beneficiaries with vocational tools and equipment could deliver more sustainable results than distributing cash without assessing their needs and business capacities.
“The best form of grant is empowerment through skill acquisition tools. You don’t just give people grants or empowerment without first doing due diligence. You don’t pluck money from a tree. Money doesn’t come easily,” he said.
Also speaking, human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, urged beneficiaries to embrace patience, discipline and delayed gratification.
He warned that careless spending could undermine the objectives of the intervention.
He specifically cautioned against using funds meant for business development to acquire expensive phones and other luxury items.
Earlier, Seriki said the empowerment programme was motivated by his desire to give back to society and create opportunities for people to improve their economic circumstances.
“The purpose of this empowerment is to help people progress in their own way. All I am doing is giving back to the society that brought me this far,” he said.
He added that people who had attained financial success should use their resources to improve the lives of others.
“When God blesses you and you have enough, failing to make other people smile means you are poor in spirit. Making other people happy is something I strongly believe in and enjoy doing,” he said.
Mustapha said the intervention was not the first time Seriki had undertaken a major programme to support residents.
He expressed hope that the gesture would not be his last.
The senator also challenged his opponents to identify verifiable contributions to infrastructure and human capital development made before assuming public office.
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