Costume Enterprise as a Panacea for Poverty Reduction among Young People in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined costume enterprise as a panacea for poverty reduction among young people in Nigeria by x-raying the potentials embedded in it, in order to ascertain its viability for poverty reduction. The objective of the study therefore was to fill this knowledge gap by carrying out empirical study on the business potentials resident in costume entrepreneurship. The methodology followed survey research design and involved generating data from individuals who are involved in costume enterprise businesses from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. Primary data sources came from phone call interview and questionnaire survey. In both cases, the respondents for the study were asked questions regarding their average monthly income from their costume business. The result findings revealed that the average monthly income of retail costume entrepreneurs was N30,625; exceeding the monthly earnings of some employed people in Nigeria and even beyond the minimum wage agitated by the Nigeria Labour Union in 2018. The study also discovered that the costume entrepreneurs in the Northern region do not earn as much as those in the Southern region. Bearing all these facts in mind, the study, therefore, concludes that costume enterprise is a viable venture capable of reducing poverty. It is also concluded from the study that Northern Nigeria (the North Central, North East and North West), are still lagging behind in harnessing costuming arts potentials in the region, for revenue earnings.  It is therefore recommended that the government should create enabling environment for both local and foreign earnings through costume entrepreneurship. It is also suggested that theatre departments and closely related fields in Nigerian tertiary institutions should incorporate costume arts into their curriculum as a gainful enterprise for job creators and job seekers.