American singer and fashion model Ciara Wilson joined Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday at Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) for the Closing Gong Ceremony, organised to commemorate 2025 Lagos Fashion Week.
Gatekeepers News reports that the event highlighted the connection between creativity and finance, as stakeholders from the public and private sectors discussed how Nigeria’s creative industry, particularly fashion, film, and design, can leverage capital market opportunities to drive innovation and sustainable growth.
Hosted by Style House Files, Lagos Fashion Week has become one of Africa’s leading platforms promoting creativity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, while positioning Nigerian fashion on the global stage.
Governor Sanwo-Olu praised the NGX Group for recognising the economic value of the creative industry, describing Lagos as the epicentre of Africa’s creative renaissance.
He said, “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.”
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing the creative ecosystem through improved access to funding, infrastructure, and supportive government policies.
Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of NGX Group, commended the collaboration between the Exchange and Lagos Fashion Week, calling it a model for how the capital market can support emerging sectors.
He said, “At NGX Group, we believe the creative economy and the capital market share a common purpose – transforming ideas into enduring value.”
“Across the fashion value chain, there are countless SMEs with the potential to become industry leaders if they can access sustainable financing and institutional support.”
Temi Popoola, NGX Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, reaffirmed the Group’s dedication to promoting innovation across sectors.
Popoola said, “The creative economy represents one of the most dynamic frontiers of growth in Africa.”
“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 ceremony concluded with Ciara and Sanwo-Olu ringing the Closing Gong, symbolising a new era of collaboration between Nigeria’s creative industry and its financial sector.
