CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN THE NIGERIAN FASHION INDUSTRY: A STUDY OF DELTA STATE

Abstract

The fashion industry is now an international and highly globalized industry with clothing often designed in one country, manufactured in another, and sold worldwide. There are many female entrepreneurs all over the world and their impact has started to gain attention and momentum. However, prejudice against female entrepreneurs is experienced more in Africa and other developing countries due to cultural practices, religious bigotry, discrimination and tradition of patriarchal cultures. This study focused on the challenges and prospects of female entrepreneurs in the Nigerian fashion industry, using Delta State as a case study. Four theories were reviewed in the study: Cultural feminist theory, social action theory, human motivational need theory and risk bearing theory. The cultural feminist theory was adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. The mixed methods research design was adopted in the study. The sample size of the study was 389, as determined through the Taro Yamane statistical method of sample size determination. Quantitative and qualitative instruments were used to collect data in the study. The questionnaire was the quantitative instrument, while the in-depth interview guide and focused group discussion were the qualitative instruments for data collection. The data were processed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Descriptive statistics, such as simple percentages, frequency tables, and graphic illustrations, were used to analyze the quantitative data. However, qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Three hypotheses were tested in the study using the Chi square test statistic. Findings from the study show that credit facilities are not readily available and accessible to female entrepreneurs in Delta state. It was also found that level of educational attainment plays a role in influencing the participation of females in the fashion industry in Delta state. Also, all hypotheses tested were all accepted as they showed significant relationships. The study recommends that government should make credit facilities readily available and accessible to female entrepreneurs in Delta state.