Left: Founder of Design Week, Lagos, Titi Ogufere; Former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, and Managing Director/Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal during the visit of the former Vice President to the ongoing Design and Innovation Exhibition holding at Ecobank Pan African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos
By Ayomide Otitoju
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, have praised the ingenuity of young Nigerian entrepreneurs at the ongoing Design and Innovation Exhibition at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos.
The exhibition, organized by Design Week Lagos in collaboration with Ecobank Nigeria and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, serves as a global platform for emerging talents in the design and creative industries.
During a visit on Saturday, Osinbajo commended the showcased innovations, emphasizing the potential of young creatives to drive national development with the right support. He also lauded Ecobank for its role in promoting Nigeria’s creative sector and called for increased public-private partnerships to accelerate growth in the industry.
Left: Managing Director/Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal; Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and his wife, Salamatu, and Founder of Design Week, Lagos, Titi Ogufere during the visit of Chief of Staff to the President to the ongoing Design and Innovation Exhibition holding at Ecobank Pan African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos
“It’s truly inspiring to see these remarkable products and designs created by young entrepreneurs. This exhibition bridges talent with commerce, and it’s essential that we encourage them. I commend Ecobank and the organizers for supporting these youths and this industry,” Osinbajo stated.
Echoing similar sentiments, Gbajabiamila expressed appreciation to Ecobank for championing the initiative, acknowledging its significance in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
The dignitaries, accompanied by their wives, were given a guided tour of the exhibition by Titi Ogufere, Founder of Design Week Lagos; Bolaji Lawal, Managing Director/Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria; and other event organizers.
The 2025 edition of the exhibition, themed “Building a Made-in-Nigeria Brand,” showcases Nigeria’s leading talents in furniture, product, and industrial design. It highlights local creativity and craftsmanship while promoting industrialization and the export potential of Nigerian-made products.
Key attractions include the Manufacturer and Designer’s Pavilion, which spotlights collaborations between manufacturers and designers, as well as the Designer’s Pavilion, where 50 individual designers present innovative concepts across various disciplines, including furniture, toys, automotive, and industrial design.
The exhibition, which opened on Tuesday, February 25, will run until Sunday, March 2.
