Ebunoluwa Yussuf
2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Empowering the Girl Child through Vocational TrainingNigeria
Ebunoluwa Farinde-Yussuf is an electrical graduate turned fashion designer. She is the founder and creative director of Gallereno Works, a creativity-oriented social institution focused on fashion design, and owner of the brand Oge Ibile, which means “indigenous fashion.”
Oge Ibile started as a hobby for Yussuf in 2004 and has now grown into a progressive and trusted brand of fashion accessories offered in a variety of style, trends and patterns that reflect aestheticism. The brand also offers trainings and internship programs that focus on empowering the girl-child through vocational training. Yussuf and Oge Ibile have provided vocational skills training to more than 1,000 people in 20 communities in Nigeria. She has received several awards, including the Youth with Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN) Award, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women, Cherie Blair ‘Road to Growth’, Vital Voices Grow Fellowship, Mandela Washington Fellowship and USADF Business Plan Competition.
IVLP Impact Award Project: Empowering the Girl-Child through Vocational Training
The project trained 241 students from two schools to learn technical skills that they can translate into economic success. Trainings included bracelet making and textile creation. as well as many other skills. Participants were equipped with skill sets to overcome economic challenges and pursue job opportunities. One participant claimed that she is already planning to make Ankara bracelets for her neighbors with the skills she learned. Local schools are planning on making this project a foundation of their annual career day.
"The school principals were very happy and would like me to make it a yearly event. The participants were excited and appreciative." -Ebunoluwa Yussuf
IVLP Exchange Experience
Ebunoluwa participated in the IVLP Project Promoting Economic Growth and Trade in the Fashion Industry, organized by the U.S. Department of State and FHI 360 in partnership with the the U.S. Department of State Office of International Visitors program branch in New York City, Global Ties Alabama, Global Ties Akron and World Affairs Council - Seattle.
Ebunoluwa's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "My IVLP experience taught me to prioritize learning and growth. Spending time with other inspiring entrepreneurs enabled me to learn from their successes and failures."
U.S. Communities Visited Virtually
Huntsville; AL; Washington, DC; New York City, NY; Akron, OH; Seattle, WA