NGX Chairman reaffirms commitment to Nigeria’s creative, fashion industries
Nike Popoola
The Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, has reaffirmed the Exchange’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s creative and fashion industries, describing them as vital components of the nation’s growing soft power.
Kwairanga stated this on Friday, 31 October 2025, during the Closing Gong Ceremony held at the NGX in commemoration of Lagos Fashion Week. The event was attended by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, members of his entourage, and prominent figures in Nigeria’s fashion ecosystem.
Welcoming the guests to the trading floor, the NGX Chairman praised the organisers — Style House Files, curators of Lagos Fashion Week — for bringing vibrancy and colour to the Exchange. He noted that Nigeria’s fashion, music, film, and literary sectors have become powerful cultural exports that continue to enhance the country’s global image.
“The fashion industry is a vital part of a country’s soft power along with music, movies, and literature,” Kwairanga said. “In recent years, we have seen Nigeria’s soft power growing globally as a result of the creativity, energy, and drive of our creatives, especially the younger generation.”
He emphasised the need for Nigeria to build on this momentum by investing in branding, monetisation, and formal structures that will ensure sustainability and global competitiveness.
“We need to pursue branding to make our fashion industry unique. We also need to explore more ways to monetise our citizens’ God-given talents and put in formal structures to ensure continuity,” he added, commending the Lagos State Government and Style House for their efforts in this regard.
Kwairanga further stated that NGX remains open to partnerships with the government and private sector to elevate Nigeria’s soft power and support the growth of its creative industries.
“At the NGX, we are open to working with the government and organisations such as the Style House to take the fashion industry and Nigeria’s soft power to greater heights,” he said.
The Lagos Fashion Week, which has grown to become one of Africa’s most anticipated fashion showcases, continues to spotlight Nigerian designers and promote the country as a global fashion hub.
