An expert in interior design and furniture consultant, Omeba Ejiogu, appeared live on 99.5 Wish FM Port Harcourt to discuss the challenges of furniture making in Nigeria.

With several years of experience in the interior design and furniture industry, Omeba shared her insights into the pressing issues and offered practical solutions for growth and innovation in the sector.

During the programme, Omeba highlighted challenges such as limited availability and high cost of quality raw materials, shortage of skilled artisans and the need for improved training programmes.

Others are the impact of poor infrastructure, such as unreliable electricity and transport networks, Rising costs due to inflation and difficulties in accessing affordable financing, and competition from imported furniture and consumer preference for foreign products.

Omeba emphasized the need to support local artisans and promote Nigerian-made furniture.

She said: “The furniture-making industry in nigeria holds so much promise, With the right support and collaboration, we can overcome these challenges and create a thriving, self-sufficient industry.”

Listeners appreciated her practical recommendations, which included focusing on locally-sourced materials, building skills through vocational training, and leveraging digital platforms to market nigerian furniture brands.

This conversation aimed to inspire both policymakers and consumers to recognise the value of homegrown talent and invest in the growth of nigeria’s furniture-making industry.

It is imperative to note that, Omeba Ejiogu is a dynamic interior designer and furniture-making consultant with over six years of professional experience.

She is passionate about transforming spaces and creating bespoke furniture that reflects the creativity and craftsmanship of Nigerian artisans.