The CEO of DO.II Designs Ltd, Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, has lamented the challenges confronting Nigeria’s furniture industry.
According to The PUNCH, while speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, She emphasized a substantial skills gap and a scarcity of dollars among the various challenges in the industry.
While unveiling the upcoming DO.II Big Black Friday sales event, Ighodalo discussed these challenges, particularly emphasizing the impact of the dollar scarcity and high exchange rates on furniture prices in the market.
Ighodalo pointed out that over 80% of the raw materials necessary for designing and manufacturing furniture are locally sourced, with the remaining 20% being imported.
She mentioned that certain items, like conference tables, are imported to meet specific customer demands, while acknowledging the industry’s strides in reducing reliance on foreign sources, such as imported fabric and decorations.
Despite progress in local sourcing, Ighodalo highlighted the persistent challenge of fluctuating prices within short timeframes, impacting the operational costs of the industry.
Ighodalo said, “Some of those who are not able to import directly come to DO.II Designs Ltd because of the dollar challenge.”
Acknowledging Nigeria’s pool of talented individuals, Ighodalo emphasized the necessity of training to polish these “rough diamonds.”
She advocated for the creation of a training school, suggesting the recruitment of skilled masters from across the globe to contribute to the growth of the industry.
