From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Government is partnering with an organisation, the Aba Fashion Week (AFW), to secure Aba’s inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuribe, at a press conference in Umuahia.
Ekwuribe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with the event’s organisers to expand opportunities for fashion designers, garment manufacturers, footwear producers and other creative entrepreneurs.
“As cultural and creative industries gain increasing recognition worldwide as drivers of economic growth, job creation and international influence, the Abia State Government is seeking to position Aba’s fashion and manufacturing industry for greater global competitiveness through a strategic partnership with Aba Fashion Week in efforts to secure the city’s inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network.”
The Commissioner said the initiative aligned with Governor Alex Otti’s vision of creating an enabling environment for creative talents to thrive and transforming Abia’s established industrial strengths into sustainable economic opportunities.
Ekwuribe explained that UNESCO recognition could strengthen Aba’s international profile, connect its creative businesses with global networks and open wider markets for locally made products.
As part of the process towards international recognition, Ekwuribe disclosed that a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments was expected to visit Aba to assess its creative assets, including selected facilities such as Toskine Fashion House and the Enasco shoe and garment factory.
He said the proposed assessment and other institutional partnerships were intended to demonstrate the city’s creative and productive capacity, attract international attention and strengthen the competitiveness of its fashion industry.
The commissioner also indicated that the state was exploring opportunities to showcase Abia’s creative industry at programmes outside the state, including an upcoming event in Lagos and a programme in Paris, while considering further initiatives to promote local products, support manufacturers and improve access to business opportunities.
The government further disclosed that it had undertaken training and apprenticeship programmes for fashion designers and was planning additional interventions to strengthen the creative economy, including another hackathon and efforts to improve existing facilities such as the Enyimba Garment Factory.
He identified reliable electricity, good roads and functional production facilities as essential to expanding manufacturing, reducing business constraints and improving the competitiveness of locally produced goods.
The administration maintained that Aba’s fashion industry already serves markets beyond the city, supplying skilled tailors, fashion professionals and products to businesses across Nigeria and elsewhere, but stressed that stronger infrastructure, institutional support and international visibility would be necessary to translate these advantages into expanded investment, sustainable jobs and business growth.
AFW founder, Ugomdi Ogbonna, said the event, which will be the sixth edition, was designed to bridge the gap between Aba’s established reputation for fashion production and the visibility available to individual designers seeking to build recognised brands and reach wider markets.
He announced that participation, registration and entrance would be free to eliminate financial barriers that often prevent emerging creatives from showcasing their work.
Ogbonna, who attended the briefing with members of the organising team, including Kelechi Prince Chukwudike, said the organisers welcomed eligible designers and made efforts to accommodate as many applicants as possible.
He explained that participation announcements were usually made earlier in the year, giving interested designers time to register, submit their profiles and follow up through email.
Ogbonna announced a three-day programme featuring street fashion on 24 November 2026, at a venue to be announced; a free masterclass for designers and other creative talents on 26 November; and a grand finale runway presentation on 27 November. The masterclass and grand finale are scheduled for GIA, The Bird Centre, along Factory Road, Aba.
He said the masterclass was designed to accommodate more than 5,000 participants, while the street fashion programme would provide additional opportunities for designers and members of the public to engage with the event.
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