Abuja, Nigeria – June 2025 – The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy hosted a landmark stakeholder engagement, Fashion Focus 2025: Stitching the Gaps, Building Bridges Across Nigeria’s Fashion Value Chain, convening key government leaders, private sector actors, and emerging fashion entrepreneurs to align on actionable strategies for unlocking Nigeria’s global fashion potential.

Held in Abuja as part of Nigeria’s creative drive under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the event marked a milestone moment in the Ministry’s efforts to integrate fashion as a viable vehicle for economic diversification, youth empowerment, and cultural diplomacy.

The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa Esq, in her keynote address, emphasized the urgency of building sustainable infrastructure for fashion MSMEs, bridging critical value chain gaps, and leveraging creativity as a global export. “Nigeria’s fashion industry is not just an expression of culture, it is a catalyst for inclusive growth, innovation, and our national identity on the world stage,” she said.

She was joined by the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim FSI, CIPD, MSPSP, FDMSS, f.hcd, who underscored the vital role women play in preserving cultural heritage and driving innovation across the creative economy. “Women are not only custodians of our traditions, they are entrepreneurs, innovators, and the backbone of this sector. We must ensure inclusive policies that allow them to thrive and benefit equitably,” she said.

Also in attendance was the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, who reinforced the Ministry’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with the skills, platforms, and investment readiness needed to excel in creative industries. “Empowering youth in the fashion value chain is key to building the future of work, the future of culture, and the future of Nigeria’s global narrative,” he shared.

Delivering insights on the Ministry’s broader vision, Mr. Faiz Imam, Chief Adviser to the Honourable Minister, highlighted the importance of strategic collaboration across sectors. “Our vision is to place Nigeria everywhere through creativity. We must align innovation with infrastructure, and elevate our creatives through deliberate partnerships, market access, and global storytelling,” he said.

The event featured high-level panel discussions exploring topics such as sustainable fashion, local textile development, MSME funding, gender equity, and export readiness. Sessions included:
• Local to Global: Unlocking Export Opportunities for Nigerian Fashion Designers
• From Threads to Textiles: Securing Nigeria’s Raw Materials Pipeline
• Creative Capital: Closing the Skills and Finance Gap in Fashion
• Fashion Finance: From Hustles to Scalable Ventures

The Honourable Minister also launched the “Nigeria Everywhere: Creative Collection”, a vibrant showcase of works by young Nigerian designers blending tradition with modern design, reflecting Nigeria’s unique cultural identity and global potential.

The event’s outcomes include a roadmap for enhanced fashion export capacity, increased access to finance, stronger linkages between policymakers and designers, and policy recommendations to advance inclusive growth across the fashion ecosystem.

Present at the gathering were directors and key officials from the Ministry, delegates from the 68th UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa Meeting, private sector partners, youth-led fashion enterprises, and creative thought leaders.

As part of the Ministry’s broader collaboration with Ananse Internet Group, the forthcoming Ananse Centre for Design in Lagos will soon become a hub for training over 5,000 creatives in fashion, leather, and digital storytelling, with plans for national expansion.

This strategic momentum affirms Nigeria’s creative industry as a pillar of national pride, economic resilience, and global influence.