By Ayomide Otitoju
In a groundbreaking move to elevate Nigeria’s creative economy, Design Week Lagos is teaming up with Ecobank Nigeria and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy to unveil the 2025 Design and Innovation Exhibition. This inaugural event is set to redefine Nigeria’s industrial and creative landscape, offering a platform to showcase innovation, craftsmanship, and collaboration across various sectors.
Driving Economic Growth Through Creativity
Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, emphasized the exhibition’s transformative potential. “This exhibition offers a distinctive avenue for our nation’s economic advancement. By harnessing the synergy between Nigerian creativity and the manufacturing sector, we can modernize and innovate our products, promote the production of Nigerian creativity and furniture, and strengthen our economic connections,” she stated.
The 2025 Design and Innovation Exhibition will focus on the theme “Building a Made-in-Nigeria Brand”, celebrating local ingenuity while highlighting Nigeria’s industrialization and export potential.
A Vision for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Titi Ogufere, Founder of Design Week Lagos, described the initiative as a bold step toward positioning Nigeria as a global leader in design and manufacturing. “This event is more than a celebration of design; it represents a bold step toward positioning Nigeria at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. By fostering collaborations between designers and manufacturers, we aim to develop innovative products that not only serve local markets but also establish Nigeria as a global leader in design and manufacturing exports,” Ogufere said.
Ecobank’s Commitment to Innovation
Omoboye Odu, Head of SME, Partnerships, and Collaboration at Ecobank, reinforced the bank’s dedication to supporting innovation and collaboration. “Ecobank is the solution for African banking, and we are committed to giving our customers the platform to network, collaborate, and partner to promote innovation and creativity. We are proud to be part of the process to spotlight homegrown innovations and sustainable practices across various sectors,” Odu remarked.
Exhibition Highlights
The event will feature several key attractions:
Manufacturer and Designer’s Pavilion: Showcasing collaborative works between manufacturers and designers, presenting cutting-edge, Made-in-Nigeria designs.
Designer’s Pavilion: Hosting 50 individual designers across disciplines such as furniture, toys, automotive, and industrial design.
The Design Den: A platform for designers to pitch their ideas to investors, fostering collaboration and industry growth.
Titi Lai Lai Showcase: A curated concept store featuring exclusive pieces from renowned Nigerian artists and designers like Victor Ekpuk, Banke Kuku, and the Nike Art Gallery, celebrating the fusion of art and design.
Building on Past Successes
Last year’s exhibition garnered significant acclaim, spotlighting collaborations such as AFP by Julius Berger and Temitope El Shabazz, Woodstyles and Tosin Oshinowo, and IO Furniture with Q. These partnerships showcased the innovative possibilities of Made-in-Nigeria designs.
The 2025 edition promises to go even further, featuring 25 new collaborations between designers and manufacturers, cementing the event’s status as a hub for creativity, technical expertise, and sustainable industrial growth.
With its ambitious vision and innovative approach, the 2025 Design and Innovation Exhibition is poised to set a new standard for design excellence in Nigeria, celebrating local talent and paving the way for a thriving creative economy.
