Governor Sanwo-Olu Rings NGX Closing Bell to Celebrate Lagos Fashion Week

• Governor Sanwo-Olu Rings NGX Closing Bell to Celebrate Lagos Fashion Week
• Lagos Fashion Week was founded by Tokunbo and Yemi Akerele
• Dr. Umaru Kwairanga commended the Lagos Fashion Week initiative

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday closed the trading day at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in commemoration of Lagos Fashion Week 2025, an annual event celebrating creativity, enterprise, and the fashion industry’s growing role in driving sustainable economic transformation.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Governor, joined by members of his cabinet, performed the ceremonial closing at the Exchange alongside international superstar and Grammy Award winner, Ciara Princess Wilson, who arrived in Lagos on Thursday to participate in the week-long celebration held between 30 October and 2 November.

EDITOR’S PICK

• Tinubu Secures Lawmakers’ Nod for $2.35bn Loan
• Wole Soyinka and Trump’s America: From Torn Green Card to Revoked Visa
• Disciples of Jagaban Defend Tinubu, Say Atiku, Obi Lack Northern Influence

Lagos Fashion Week, a private-led initiative  has for 15 years championed Nigerian fashion and locally made apparel. Founded by Tokunbo and Yemi Akerele, the platform continues to project African design and craftsmanship onto the global stage.

Governor Sanwo-Olu praised the initiative for highlighting the business and innovation aspects of fashion, noting that the event underscores Lagos’ position as Africa’s creative capital.

“Our administration is committed to supporting people who are curating an ecosystem that pushes locally created brands to the global market,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“Africa is the next continent that will drive global economic growth, and Nigeria has the demographic advantage to lead that transformation. Lagos embodies the continent’s creative and entrepreneurial spirit  a city filled with innovators eager to shape the future.”

He described fashion as a strategic enabler of investment and tourism, adding that the partnership between the Lagos State Government and NGX would create new opportunities for designers and entrepreneurs to scale their businesses internationally.

Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to implementing policies that expand access, unlock capital, and foster a thriving creative ecosystem.

Chairman of the NGX Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, commended the Lagos Fashion Week initiative for nurturing creative excellence and business innovation, saying the event had firmly positioned Nigerian fashion on the global stage.

“Through the NGX Growth Board, we have created a platform for growth-oriented businesses  including those in fashion, design, and creative services  to raise long-term capital, strengthen governance, and attract investors,” Kwairanga said.

“The fashion industry is not just art; it is an engine for economic inclusion, job creation, and social impact.”

He added that the Exchange remains committed to bringing more participants from the creative economy into the capital market, helping them formalise operations and build resilience through sustainable investment.