Nigerian fashion, art and music set the tone for an evening of friendship as diplomats, government officials, business leaders and creatives gathered in Lagos to celebrate German Unity Day.

At the German Consulate General’s garden in Victoria Island, guests exchanged greetings and conversations before turning their attention to a programme that combined reflections on Germany’s history with Nigerian cultural presentations.

Hosted by German Consul General Daniel Krull, the November 3 reception brought together development partners, academics and members of the German-Nigerian community. Fashion displays, bear-inspired artworks and a collaborative painting offered guests different ways to engage with the evening’s theme, “Many Strengths, One Nation”.

The celebration marked the 36th anniversary of the reunification of East and West Germany on October 3, 1990, following the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. It also provided an occasion to reflect on the relationship between Germany and Nigeria, including the cultural and personal connections behind formal partnerships.

Welcoming guests, Krull reflected on the peaceful action and collective determination that helped bring about German reunification.

“People can bring about change and transformation through peaceful means. We have to recall no gunshot was fired during this amazing period.”

He also stressed the importance of international partnerships.

“International cooperation is key for success.”

Representing the Lagos State Government, Secretary to the State Government Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin said the friendship between both countries had grown through generations of people working and exchanging ideas.

“There are friendships between nations that extend beyond the agreements their governments sign. They are sustained by generations of people who work together, exchange ideas, establish businesses, and build lasting relationships,” she said.

She acknowledged the contributions of German businesses, educational institutions and cultural organisations, while reaffirming Lagos State’s commitment to strengthening those partnerships.

Nigerian style on display

The evening’s fashion presentation featured Couture by Laras, Bukola Neville, Samitolaf, Adaisi and Takera Studio, with participating designers interpreting briefs covering office clothing, cocktail outfits and party wear.

For Joy Obona, founder of Adaisi, the presentation offered an opportunity to share her approach to dressing and the concern that shaped her brand.

“Growing up, there has always been a gap, like a huge gap between trying to be Western and trying to be traditional, cultural. I for one embrace the cultural aspect of Nigeria.”

Obona said she worried that younger people’s preference for Western clothing could gradually push traditional Nigerian styles out of their wardrobes.

“It makes it feel like at some point, the cultural values in fashion are going to go extinct. So then that is actually the roots of my brand.”

Her response is to incorporate indigenous fabrics, including aso oke and adire, into contemporary designs. She also uses tie-dye techniques, creating pieces intended to appeal to wearers who want a modern look with a connection to their heritage.

Her brief for the reception focused on party dressing, allowing her to interpret those influences through occasion wear.

Obona’s participation followed training in fashion illustration through GIZ, Germany’s development cooperation agency.

“I personally benefited from the fashion illustration from GIZ and that’s where the link was from,” she explained.

Her experience gave a practical example of the cooperation discussed during the reception: training that helped a designer develop her skills and an opportunity to present her work.

The use of adire in contemporary clothing also brought attention to the textile traditions behind some of the designs on display.

Art bringing guests together

Across the venue, individual banners displayed bear-inspired artworks by finalists in the YoruBuddy Art Competition 2026.

The competition invited Nigerian artists to reinterpret the Buddy Bear through their own cultural references, experiences and artistic styles.

The ten finalists were Dominion Aka, Joseph Steve, Vairagi Chukwudebe, Amarachi Ezeh, Esther Kikelomo Oyewale, John Adediran, Yemz Olapo, Ibraheem Shakioye, Hephzibah Asekhame and Marvellous Akinkunmi.

Their different interpretations gave guests an opportunity to explore the work of Nigerian artists within the reception.

A collaborative live-painting installation also invited guests to contribute to a shared artwork, making participation part of the evening’s programme.

Lucia Ikediashi, creative producer at Shimas Services, said the initiative aimed to create common ground among people of different ages, nationalities and interests.

“So we’re talking about unity today, unity between Nigerians and Germans, between the old and the young, between the creatives and non-creatives. We’re just finding a melting point for everybody to just be one at the same time.”

She explained that visual art offered an accessible way to involve guests in the theme of unity.

“Sometimes you can use music, sometimes you can use poetry, but today here, we’re using art,” she said.

According to Ikediashi, support through German development cooperation helped bring the installation to life and provided the creatives involved with a platform to develop and share their ideas.

Music and dance

A live band and a traditional dance presentation added music and movement to the programme, complementing the fashion and visual art displays.

Performers in colourful African attire shared Nigerian cultural expressions with the gathering, while guests joined in the dancing.

The performances gave the reception a relaxed social rhythm alongside the formal addresses. In the same garden where officials discussed cooperation, designers explained their work, artists displayed their ideas and guests contributed to a painting.

The evening also included a toast to Germany and its friendship with Nigeria, with Nigerian fashion, art, music and dance forming part of the celebration.