The NYSC Allowance That Sparked A Fashion Revolution: UNIJOS Students Share Andrew Kohol’s Vuba Journey

A few days ago, 100-level Mass Communication students from the University of Jos visited Vuba Fashion House, a leading cultural menswear brand in Jos, for a creative tour as part of their course in visual storytelling. The visit was designed to help them explore how imagery can tell a powerful fashion story.

At the fashion house, they were warmly welcomed by Andrew Kohol, founder and creative director of Vuba, renowned for bespoke and high-quality kaftans, agbada, dansiki, and buba. During the creative tour, Kohol took them down memory lane, showing them his very first sewing machine, an old “Dragon Fly” model.

He revealed that he bought it with his two months’ NYSC allowance – N40,000 saved while serving at the Industrial Training Fund in Jos. That simple purchase marked the beginning of his fashion journey: starting small, working long hours, staying creative, and remaining consistent despite challenges.

The students photographed the Dragon Fly, returning to campus to use the image as the centerpiece of their group presentation. In front of lecturers and classmates, they told a story of sacrifice, dedication, and persistence – explaining that the machine was more than equipment; it was a symbol of a dream that grew into a thriving fashion brand currently serving different clients in Jos, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, South Africa, the UK, and the USA.

“This image shows that fashion is not just about clothes, but the journey behind it,” one student explained. “The Dragon Fly tells a real story of passion and persistence.” Their presentation earned praise from their lecturer, and other students impressed by their ability to draw powerful meaning from a single image.

Today, Vuba Fashion House stands among Nigeria’s most sought-after menswear brands, with clients from Jos to Johannesburg, Lagos to London. From the humble “Dragon Fly” sewing machine bought with an NYSC allowance to winning Best Fashion Brand at the Plateau State Entrepreneurship Awards and Most Innovative Fashion Brand at Junefest, Andrew Kohol’s story proves that greatness often begins in the simplest of places nurtured by vision, persistence, and the courage to start, build, innovate and scale.

To connect with Andrew Kohol, follow @vuba_nig on Instagram or call 0816 093 0000.