Bridget Ojochide Agba Honoured with Women’s Economic Empowerment Award as Africa’s 2025 Under 40 CEO Driving Fashion Innovation
Bridget Ojochide Agba, Chief Executive Officer of Jochlieu Apparel International, has been honoured with the Women’s Economic Empowerment Award as Africa’s 2025 Under 40 CEO. The award recognises her leadership in transforming Nigeria’s fashion industry through innovation, manufacturing excellence, and social impact initiatives that empower women and young entrepreneurs.
Agba has built a career at the intersection of fashion, entrepreneurship, and education. Over the last 13 years, she has turned Jochlieu Apparel International into a globally competitive apparel company that supplies multinational and Fortune 500 clients. With a workforce of more than 100, her company delivers thousands of garments each month and is now expanding its production capacity to meet rising demand across Africa and beyond.
“Fashion is more than style, it is a tool for empowerment,” Agba said. “Through design, education, and entrepreneurship, we can create opportunities that transform lives and industries.”
Her commitment to social impact is evident in initiatives such as Project Uniform Africa, which distributes more than 5,000 uniforms annually to underserved students. The project has boosted enrollment rates in target communities and highlighted the role of fashion in advancing education. She has also spearheaded vocational training programmes for women, ensuring that skills acquisition translates into sustainable employment and economic independence.
Agba’s influence extends to the global stage. In 2025, she served as a delegate at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, where she contributed to high-level policy dialogues on gender equity and inclusive economic growth. Her work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on quality education and gender equality, reflecting her belief that fashion and entrepreneurship can drive long-term social transformation.
“My greatest motivation is seeing women and young people thrive in spaces where they were once excluded,” Agba explained. “Every time an entrepreneur I mentor secures funding or scales their business, it reinforces my belief that empowerment has a ripple effect across communities.”
Her achievements have earned her numerous awards, including recognition at the Africa Beauty Summit, a spot among the Top 100 Women in African Business, and the Outstanding Social Impact Leader Award from Lagos Business School. She has also been profiled by leading media platforms such as Pulse Nigeria, BellaNaija, and Vanguard for her role in advancing the creative economy.
Currently pursuing an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of San Francisco while completing a Master’s in Public and International Affairs at the University of Lagos, Agba continues to combine academic insight with practical leadership. Her vision is to expand Africa’s participation in global fashion markets through exports and collaborations while mentoring the next generation of designers and manufacturers.
“This award is not just about personal achievement,” she said. “It is a call to action to keep building platforms where creativity meets opportunity and where women are empowered to lead industries into the future.”
With her blend of innovation, resilience, and passion for social impact, Bridget Ojochide Agba represents a new generation of African leaders reshaping industries and driving empowerment across the continent.
