The Lagos State Government has called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria’s creative industry and the capital market to unlock sustainable financing that will help creative entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs scale globally.
The call was made during the Closing Gong Ceremony held at the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) in Lagos, marking the end of Lagos Fashion Week 2025.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said access to long-term financing through the capital market remains a critical enabler for the creative value chain, especially in fashion, film, music, and the arts, noting that innovation and enterprise can only thrive when creators have structured investment support behind them.
“Lagos stands at the forefront of Africa’s creative renaissance, a city where innovation, culture, and enterprise intersect,” he said. “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.”
Chairman of NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga, said the engagement with Lagos Fashion Week highlights how the capital market can serve as a core financing engine for emerging sectors like fashion and the wider creative economy. According to him, countless SMEs across the creative value chain have the potential to become industry leaders if given access to structured funding and institutional support.
Group Managing Director and CEO of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, added that the Exchange remains committed to connecting creativity with capital to drive growth frontiers across Africa. “We see immense potential in enabling designers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to grow sustainably through the discipline and transparency the capital market provides,” he said.
The ceremony, organized by Style House Files, brought together capital market operators, government representatives, and leading creative industry stakeholders. International guests, including American singer and fashion model Ciara Wilson, also participated, describing Lagos as a rising global hub for creativity and innovation.
Industry experts at the event agreed that strengthening capital market participation will unlock new financing channels for creative SMEs, stimulate job creation, and drive inclusive economic growth for Nigeria’s broader creative economy.
