• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Monday, June 30, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Opportunities Abound In Small Businesses – Auwal, Biochemist-turned Shoemaker

A 33-year-old Biochemist, ABDULBASIT MUHAMMAD AUWAL, who ended up as a shoemaker wouldn’t jettison his skills for any ‘white collar’ for no reason whatsoever. In this interview, the young entrepreneur who describes Jaiz Bank as his partner, reveals making higher monthly income than most salary earners in the country.

by Leadership News
1 year ago
in Business
Auwal

Auwal

Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Give us a brief overview of your business.
I am an indigene of Kaduna State. I graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry. I started this shoe making business after graduating from the university, shortly before enrolling for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Soon after my NYSC assignment, I utilised the skills acquired to advance my ambition in Plateau State.

Advertisement

What convinced you to go into shoe making business?
After graduating, I had to wait for a year before I was mobilised for the NYSC. During this period, I requested a cobbler who used to produce my shoes to engage me as an apprentice. I told him that people always admired my shoes and that I think I will start selling them. That’s how it all started.

How many staff did you start with and how many do you have now?
After learning the skills of shoemaking, I started the business alone, producing it myself and supplying it to the market before getting some apprentices. But now, I have about ten certified staff while others are still being trained.

What was your initial capital base and how did you grow your capital?
My initial capital was less than N100,000. I grew my capital by saving some of the profits to reinvest in the business.

Have you approached the banks for any credit facility?
I haven’t approached any bank for credit yet even though I need more capital to boost my business. Although I am very satisfied with the services and range of products of my banking partner, Jaiz Bank Plc, I want to reach certain levels before I engage them for facilities. I am aware that many small businesses have benefited from the Bank’s non-interest facilities to grow their businesses; surely, I will too, In Sha Allah, because I always feel at home and welcomed at Jaiz Bank.

RELATED

Deploying AI Will Not Cause Job Loss In Nigeria – Expert

Expert Introduces Lightweight AI-based System For Early Aviation Failure Detection

11 hours ago
FirstBank Customers Get N93m In ‘Win Big Promo’

FirstBank Launches Facial Recognition On Mobile App

11 hours ago

Do you think your brand can compete with foreign made shoes in the market?
We try our best to limit the difference between our locally-made shoes and foreign ones. Always tasking ourselves to reach the international standard and give the needed satisfaction to our customers. We are not where we want to be yet in the business of shoe making, but we will continue to improve the quality and aesthetics of our products to meet international standards.

Who are your major customers?
Our brand of shoes is for everyone. However, our wholesalers are in almost all the northern states of Nigeria. That is where we get our major patronage.

Would you consider picking up a white collar job in the future?
For now, I don’t think I will quit this line of business for a white collar job, because what I earn on a monthly basis is more than the salary for most of those jobs. And I also have lots of freedom.
Also, my dream is to take this small brand to a very big brand that is recognised internationally.

What would be your advice to young Nigerians who are waiting for white collar jobs?
My advice to young graduates is to indulge in small businesses because there are lots of opportunities. They shouldn’t wait for government jobs; this little business we often look down on, with consistency and hard work, is far better than the so-called government jobs.


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

BREAKING NEWS: Nigerians can now earn US Dollars from the comfort of their homes with Ultra-Premium domains, acquire them for as low as $1700 and profit as much as $25,000. Click here to learn how you can earn US Dollars consistently.


SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

‘NASENI’s Strategic Collaboration, Empowerment Initiatives Yielding Results’

Next Post

Focus More On Informal Sector, Jobberman Tells Government

Leadership News

Leadership News

You May Like

Deploying AI Will Not Cause Job Loss In Nigeria – Expert
Business

Expert Introduces Lightweight AI-based System For Early Aviation Failure Detection

2025/06/30
FirstBank Customers Get N93m In ‘Win Big Promo’
Business

FirstBank Launches Facial Recognition On Mobile App

2025/06/30
Group To Drive Africa’s Tech-led Industrial Revolution, Offers Tips To Unlock $450bn Intra-African Trade
Business

Group To Drive Africa’s Tech-led Industrial Revolution, Offers Tips To Unlock $450bn Intra-African Trade

2025/06/30
Oilserv Targets December Completion Of 303km As AKK Pipeline Crosses River Niger
Business

Oilserv Targets December Completion Of 303km As AKK Pipeline Crosses River Niger

2025/06/30
Council Targets Accelerated Sugar Project Devt In 2025
Business

Poor Backward Integration Programme Performance To Cost Sugar Firms Import Quotas

2025/06/30
Bbb+ Rating
Business

TAJBank Sustains Industry Feat, Pays 3rd Dividend In 5 Years

2025/06/30
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Ex-Lawmaker Mashood Mustapha Arraigned For Alleged Defamation Of Kwara Gov

Gwarzo Hails North’s First Clinical Pharmacy Prof, Hadiza Ma’aji, On Professorial Elevation

JUST-IN: Dantata’s Burial Postponed To Tuesday 

Court Jails Cab Driver For Unlawful Trafficking Of 12 Live Parrots

Jega Harps On Modernisation Of Nigeria’s Livestock Sector

Minister Inaugurates 11-man NPA Governing Board

Navy Arrests Suspected Militant With Firearm In Bayelsa

Police Nab ‘One Chance’, Kidnap Syndicates In Delta

APC Fixes July 24 For NEC Meeting To Pick New National Chairman

Armed Robber Dies After Failed Attack On Kano Household

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.