I was Rejected When I Went to Learn It – Nigerian Female Graduate Shoemaker

A Nigerian University graduate who is also a shoemaker has shared some obstacles she faced when she wanted to learn the skill.

A Nigerian young lady by the name Yetunde Odewuni, has revealed how she went into shoemaking after graduating with a transport management degree at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

Yetunde said when she went to learn the craft, she was told by the man that they cannot accept her because she is a woman.

The shoemaker queen however persisted as she promptly searched and got another place where she learned and graduated. 

Today, Yetunde owns her own shop, has apprentices, and also employs staff. 

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In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Yetunde said: “The first shoemaker I went to meet in my area then rejected me politely based on they don’t take female apprentices in his unit. 

“And in fact, I just wanted to learn female slippers and sandals, so I tried to persuade him to help him speak to their chairman because of the nearness to my house then. 

“After some days he got back to me that’s it’s still no, and he said there are units that take females I should go there. That was what made me find a better place to learn.” 

On why she is into shoemaking and not something else, Yetunde said: “Initially, I started with bag making; Ankara bags to be precise, then I went for an advanced class and proceeded to make leather bags. It was one of my customers that requested a matching shoe for her bag that made me go for the shoemaking training.” 

Yetunde said the business started from her room in LAUTECH, but she now owns a showroom and she plans to go global.

But she said her lowest point was when she made 44 pairs of shoes and they were rejected by her customer. 

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CREDIT: ALLSCHOOL, Legit