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By Chukwuma Umeorah
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria’s creative industry and the capital market to unlock sustainable financing for the sector.
Sanwo-Olu made the call while performing the Closing Gong Ceremony at the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) in Lagos to mark the end of Lagos Fashion Week 2025.
He said that access to long-term financing through the capital market is essential for scaling innovation and enterprise across the creative value chain, especially in fashion, film, music, and the arts.
He emphasised that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub, is positioned to lead Africa’s creative expansion through policies that attract investment and foster job creation.
“Lagos stands at the forefront of Africa’s creative renaissance, a city where innovation, culture, and enterprise intersect.
“Our ambition is to position Lagos as a global hub for creativity and investment. By deepening linkages with the capital market through institutions like Nigerian Exchange Group, we can unlock financing that empowers creative entrepreneurs to scale sustainably and compete on the world stage”, he said.
The NGX Group Chairman, Umaru Kwairanga, noted that the engagement with Lagos Fashion Week showed how the capital market can serve as a financing vehicle for emerging sectors.
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He commended the Lagos State Government for leveraging market instruments such as bonds to fund critical infrastructure and social development projects.
“At NGX Group, we believe the creative economy and the capital market share a common purpose, transforming ideas into enduring value,” Kwairanga said.
He added that there were countless SMEs with the potential across the fashion value chain to become industry leaders if they can access sustainable financing and institutional support.
Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, noted that the Exchange is committed to driving innovation and supporting new growth frontiers. “The creative economy represents one of the most dynamic frontiers of growth in Africa,” he said. “We see immense potential in connecting creativity with capital, enabling designers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to grow sustainably through the discipline and transparency the capital market provides.” The closing gong ceremony, organised by Style House Files, brought together members of the Lagos State Executive Council, capital market operators, creative industry leaders, and international guests, including American singer and fashion model, Ciara Wilson. Discussions centred on how to link creativity with investment to enhance global competitiveness and long-term value creation.
Ciara Wilson commended Nigeria’s growing creative influence, describing Lagos as a hub of innovation and economic potential. “It’s amazing to see Lagos and Nigeria levelling up, not just creatively, but economically,” she said. “The energy, talent, and innovation here are world-class. Connecting that creativity to the kind of structure and investment the capital market provides is how you build something truly global and sustainable.”
Chairman of Style House Files and Lagos Fashion Week, Tokunbo Akerele, said fashion and other creative industries are key to national economic diversification.
“Today’s ceremony reflects the recognition of fashion as a key contributor to economic development. Engaging platforms like the Exchange helps amplify the message that the creative economy is an engine for growth, investment, and social impact.”
