The two-day festival brought together leading African designers and over 250 emerging fashion and trade entrepreneurs, offering a platform for Nigerian brands to showcase their creations, engage both local and international audiences, and expand their commercial reach.
This year’s edition particularly spotlighted designers with three to seven years of industry experience, helping elevate their visibility and strengthen pathways to global markets. The event also doubled as a made-by-Nigerians-powered retail fair, enabling entrepreneurs to sell directly to thousands of visitors while building long-term brand recognition.
Nigeria’s creative economy, estimated at around $4.7 billion, has seen fashion emerge as one of its fastest-growing segments. Sterling Bank’s sponsorship aligns with its broader strategy of empowering enterprises that contribute to national development. Beyond its HEART priorities—Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation—the bank has consistently invested in the creative sector, supporting platforms that generate employment, strengthen communities, and promote Nigerian talent on the global stage.
Commenting on the partnership, Sterling Bank’s Chief Marketing Officer, Don Okpako, said: “Entrepreneurship remains central to Nigeria’s development. Fashion, in particular, is playing an increasingly important role in youth employment and national visibility, making this collaboration both timely and strategic.”
For Made By Nigerians (MBN), the festival was a practical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s creative exports. Chief Project Officer Chidimma Okoli highlighted that the event addressed longstanding access gaps for local brands, while creating measurable economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and shaping Nigeria’s cultural and commercial identity.