Working Lives

Working Lives: The Political Science Graduate Who Sews Babanriga From His Bedroom

Working Lives: The Babaringa Tailors of Northern Nigeria  

Many of our WLs interviews have featured Nigerians from the North – porters in Lagos markets, people serving tea and noodles on the street (Mai Shais). We decided to talk to the people who make those flamboyant agbada from Northern Nigeria, known as babaringa, made globally famous by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State. We had to “go” to the North to meet with them. The socioeconomic background of our new interviewees is strikingly different from our compatriots from the North we had previously interviewed for the WLs series – 3 out of 4 of them have university degrees. Yet, Nigerians have certain things in common, no matter how different their lives e.g. sending money home.

 

Working Lives: The Political Science Graduate Who Sews Babanriga From His Bedroom

I don’t really spend so much in a day, apart from buying petrol for the generator. I really can’t work when everywhere is hot. So, I have a standby generator for running the air conditioner. That is what mostly takes my money”.

 

Mohammed- Sokoto

Mohammed – Sokoto
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Where are you from?

I am from Sokoto state.

Please, tell us about your education

I attended Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borikiri. I read political science at the Sokoto State University. I graduated in 2012.

And your family? 

I come from a family of 8. My dad is a very successful tailor.  He sews for rich big men and the elites of Sokoto. My mom assists my dad in the shop so it’s more or less like a family business.

Where do you live and how much is the rent? 

I live in the same compound with my parents in a boys’ quarter. I moved back to the family house after graduation. I live rent free.

How did you start working as a tailor that sews Babanriga?

It is a family business. I started learning from my father since JSS 1.

Have you ever done anything else?

No. I was born right into the business and it is the only thing I know. But I no longer work under my parents. I have decided to build my own brand. I run my own business, from the bedroom for now.

How many hours do you work in a day?

I basically work all day. My room is always messy with clothing materials from different customers. A lot of young Hausa guys like wearing agbada, so I am always busy.

How do you source for customers?

It all started from when I was in school, during those dinner and award nights. I was the plug for all my guys in different departments. So I had a customer base from way back. And then word of mouth has done a lot of good too.

Also Read: Working Lives: The Babaringa Tailor Who Burnt Dubai Fabric

What’s your best day like on the job?

Every day is my best day on the job, there’s no pressure to wake up early to go to the shop or something. All I do is just wake up in the morning, do my prayers, prepare breakfast, watch a little bit of movie and then get to work.

Have you had any shocking encounter with a customer before?

Back then in school, a customer picked a design. I recorded the exact style he chose in my notebook. After I did the work and went to deliver, he said he didn’t pick that particular style and it was another he picked. We argued and argued, he didn’t accept the clothe. I had to bear the loss for it. I had to buy a new material.

How much do you charge to sew an Agbada?

I charge between N20,000-N50,000 depending on the kind of style you want.

How much do you make in a week? 

I make an average of N50,000 weekly.

How much do you spend in a day?

I don’t really spend so much in a day, apart from buying petrol for the generator. I really can’t work when everywhere is hot. So, I have a standby generator for running the air conditioner. That is what mostly takes my money.

What other things do you spend money on?

Buying foodstuff for the house and then for my parents too. That costs me about N50,000 monthly in total. Sometimes it’s more than that, I give my mom money occasionally.

For how long have you been in the business?

I have basically been in the business for half of my life, the only difference is just that I wasn’t making the money for myself, I was making the money for my parents. Well, it is still a good deal though- they sponsored my education, fed me, clothed me and to top it off, I now live rent free in their house.

Do you have savings and how much do you save in a month? 

Yes, I save N25,000-N30,000 weekly. It depends on how much I have spent so far that week.

Are you married?

Not yet, I am looking forward to it though. Maybe 2 years from now, I must have been able to gather enough money to start a family.

Do you have plans to venture into something else and leave this business?

Nothing in mind for now other than to focus on this brand and build myself more so I can expand in the nearest future.

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