…..Stakeholders Make Case for Massive Investment in Fashion Industry
By Lubem Gena, Abuja
The much-anticipated Nigeria Fashion Week 2026 has opened in Abuja, with stakeholders in the fashion and creative economy calling for increased investment, stronger partnerships and deliberate policies to unlock the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s fashion industry.
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 Africa CEO Club (ACC).
The welcome cocktail brought together government representatives, financial institutions, diplomatic community leading players across the fashion and creative industries for business networking, relationship building and exchange of ideas.
The welcome cocktail was held under the theme, “Where Capital Meets Creativity,” seeks to deepen the connection between creative talents and investors while positioning fashion as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s economic development.
In his statement, the President/CEO of Legendary Gold, Mr. Lexy Mojo-Eyes, said the 2026 edition marked the beginning of a new phase for Nigeria’s fashion and creative industry.
Mojo-Eyes stated that, after more than 35 years of active pioneering and participation in the sector, he remained committed to contributing to further transformation of Nigeria’s fashion ecosystem and creating platforms capable of continuously taking Nigerian designers and creative talents to the global stage.
He noted that his involvement in the industry for over the decades had contributed to opening international opportunities for Nigerian designers, adding that he had taken designers to 38 countries in the course of his career.
According to him, the fashion industry possesses enormous potential that can be harnessed to create jobs, generate wealth and strengthen Nigeria’s presence in the global creative economy.
He further announced that the Nigeria Fashion Week would henceforth be held annually in Abuja from October 1 every year, 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.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the ACC, Mrs. Fatoumatta Gaye, said Nigeria’s fashion industry had already 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, including 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 required to enable young talents to build sustainable businesses.
She 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.
Participants at the opening welcome cocktail included members of the diplomatic corps, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), captains of industry, participating local and international fashion designers and models, fashion enthusiasts, entertainers, creative entrepreneurs, influencers, specialised service providers, corporate stakeholders and members of the media.
