Stitching a Future: Ummul Khultum’s Journey from School Dropout to Entrepreneur
Empowering out-of-school children with skills to build independence, delay early marriage, and break the cycle of vulnerability.
After my mother passed away, my father said there was no point in continuing my education, Ummul Khultum Lamido recalls. I had no skills, no job, and nothing to keep me occupied at home.
Ummul, just 20 years old, has overcome adversity and turned it into an opportunity. Forced to drop out of school due to financial struggles, she now runs a thriving tailoring business—providing not only for herself but also supporting her family.
Growing up in a large household, Ummul was no stranger to struggle. Her education came to an abrupt halt in her second-to-last year of secondary school when the loss of her mother left her father—physically challenged and responsible for many children—unable to pay her school fees.
But where one door closed, another opened. Ummul’s turning point came through a UNICEF-supported initiative in partnership with the ELEVA Foundation. This program targeted out-of-school girls and Almajiri boys in Sokoto State, equipping them with vocational skills to secure a brighter future.
The training, implemented across eight local government areas, provided practical lessons in tailoring, knitting, bag-making, and arts and crafts. Over eight months, it empowered 1,807 girls and 1,897 boys with hands-on skills, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial knowledge.
This training changed my life, Ummul says with a smile. I had always wanted to learn tailoring, but I never had the opportunity. The starter kit I received helped me start right away after completing the program.
Without it, I might have forgotten everything I learned.
Armed with new skills and determination, Ummul took a bold step forward. With an additional N30,000 from her supportive brother, Bello, she launched her tailoring business a year ago. What started as a small venture has now expanded beyond expectations:
- She owns two sewing machines and sells her products in nine retail stores.
- She has attracted two international customers from Niger Republic.
- She has completed bulk orders for weddings and graduation ceremonies.
- She now trades in fabrics and custom-made clothing.
Her stepmother, Ubaida Lamido, is one of her biggest supporters. “This program has truly transformed our daughter,” she says. “She has gone beyond what she was taught and is now even supporting the family financially. We do our best to encourage her.”
Despite economic hurdles such as inflation, border closures, and limited access to financial aid, Ummul remains steadfast. With a current capital of N350,000, she continues to reinvest in her business while training her younger siblings in tailoring.
Yet, Ummul’s aspirations don’t end with entrepreneurship. She dreams of returning to school and completing her secondary education before marriage.
I want to finish what I started, she says confidently. My business is growing, but I still want my education.
For Ummul, the transition from leaving school to becoming a successful entrepreneur, mark just the start of her remarkable journey. Through steadfast resolve and the appropriate backing, she has transformed her future, demonstrating that every child, no matter the situation, deserves the opportunity to thrive.
