Nigeria, Oct. 5 -- Despite Nigeria's high cost of living, which leaves little room for generosity, Edidiong Eyen tries to stand out.

The CEO of an Akwa Ibom-based fashion brand, Elegant Stitches, has spent the last five years providing free fashion training to women, equipping scores of them with skills that enable them to fend for themselves.

Ms Eyen holds a master's degree in theatre arts from the University of Ibadan. She began her journey with a borrowed sewing machine; her room became her business place. She was driven by a burning desire to make a difference in life.

Her vision was sparked by a painful encounter at a tailor's shop, where she was denied the chance to amend her dress. But Ms Eyen has since transformed her frustrati...