****Fashion week opens in Abuja

The Federal Government and stakeholders in Nigeria’s fashion and creative industries have called for increased investment, stronger partnerships and deliberate policies to unlock the economic potential of the fashion industry.

The call was made at the opening of the Nigeria Fashion Week (NFW) 2026 in Abuja, where the Federal Government disclosed plans to develop a framework aimed at strengthening the creative economy and addressing critical gaps in data, funding, infrastructure and market support.

The week-long event, organised by Legendary Gold in partnership with the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, commenced on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with a welcome cocktail hosted by the Africa CEO Club (ACC).

The cocktail, held under the theme, “Where Capital Meets Creativity,” brought together government representatives, financial institutions, members of the diplomatic community, fashion designers, creative entrepreneurs and other industry stakeholders for networking, business engagement and exchange of ideas.

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who spoke during the second day of the event, said the Federal Government was developing a framework to strengthen Nigeria’s creative economy and unlock its economic potential.

Musawa said the government was particularly focused on addressing critical gaps in the sector, including inadequate data, funding, infrastructure and market support.

“One of the things that we did in trying to come up with a framework was to do a proper data analysis, because we felt that one of the areas that Nigeria was lacking in was data,” she said.

The minister said the growing global influence of Nigerian fashion and other creative products demonstrated the sector’s capacity to generate economic opportunities.

“Everybody wants to sound like a legionnaire, and everybody wants to wear the material they want to put on stage,” she said.

Musawa said the trend demonstrated “the power of soft talent within the passion market,” adding that government was seeking ways to ensure that creative talents translated into greater economic value.

She said the government was also working to create an enabling environment through improved funding, infrastructure and professional support.

“We, as public, need to create a media environment; the proper quality, the proper framing, the proper funding, the proper infrastructure,” she said.

Musawa disclosed that the government was working towards establishing a one-stop facility for creative practitioners to develop their talents and maximise their economic potential.

“We are creating a space that is a one-stop shop for passionate creation,” she said.

The minister called for stronger collaboration between government and stakeholders in the creative sector to drive sustainable growth.

President/CEO of Legendary Gold, Lexy Mojo-Eyes, said the 2026 edition marked the beginning of a new phase for Nigeria’s fashion and creative industry.

Mojo-Eyes, who said he had been actively involved in the sector for more than 35 years, said he remained committed to transforming Nigeria’s fashion ecosystem and creating platforms capable of taking Nigerian designers and creative talents to the global stage.

He said his involvement in the industry had helped open international opportunities for Nigerian designers, noting that he had taken designers to 38 countries during his career.

According to him, the fashion industry has enormous potential to create jobs, generate wealth and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global creative economy.

He announced that the Nigeria Fashion Week would henceforth be held annually in Abuja from October 1, giving the Federal Capital Territory a prominent place on the international fashion calendar.

“The Nigeria Fashion Week will double as one of the activities to mark the Nigerian Independence celebration every year,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the ACC, Mrs Fatoumatta Gaye, said Nigeria’s fashion industry had succeeded in placing the country on the global map through the creativity and ingenuity of its practitioners.

Gaye said the sector had demonstrated its capacity to generate employment and wealth across a broad value chain covering design, modelling, photography, manufacturing, textiles, beauty, entertainment, logistics, media and retail.

She urged investors, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to deepen their commitment to the sector by providing the capital and institutional support needed to enable young talents to build sustainable businesses.

Gaye said greater investment in fashion would contribute to economic diversification while providing opportunities for young Nigerians and Africans to develop their talents into viable enterprises.

The Nigeria Fashion Week featured runway displays of different fashion designs, with models showcasing various outfits before guests, while other designs were displayed for exhibition and purchase.

Participants at the opening welcome cocktail included members of the diplomatic corps, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), captains of industry, local and international fashion designers and models, fashion enthusiasts, entertainers, creative entrepreneurs, influencers, specialised service providers, corporate stakeholders and members of the media.