Sanwo-Olu Rings Closing Gong at NGX to Mark Lagos Fashion Week, Pushes Creative-Capital Market Synergy
By Naija Enquirer Staff
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday performed the Closing Gong Ceremony at the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) in commemoration of Lagos Fashion Week, reaffirming the growing link between Nigeria’s creative economy and capital market financing as a pathway to sustainable sector growth.
Lagos Championing Creative-Capital Collaboration
Speaking during the ceremony—which featured members of the Lagos State Executive Council, U.S. singer and fashion figure Ciara Wilson, and key industry players—Sanwo-Olu praised NGX Group for spotlighting the potential of the fashion industry and Nigeria’s wider creative ecosystem.
“Lagos stands at the forefront of Africa’s creative renaissance, a city where innovation, culture, and enterprise intersect,” said the governor. “By deepening linkages with the capital market, we can empower creative entrepreneurs to scale sustainably and compete globally.”
NGX Commits to Supporting Creative Industries
Group Chairman of NGX Group, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, described the event as symbolic of how the capital market can unlock financing for emerging sectors. He commended Sanwo-Olu for leveraging the market through Lagos State bond issuances to finance infrastructure and social projects.
Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group, added, “The creative economy represents one of the most dynamic frontiers of growth in Africa. Connecting creativity with capital enables sustainable expansion backed by transparency and structure.”
Global Spotlight on Nigeria’s Creative Potential
Ciara Wilson also celebrated Lagos’ creative rise, saying, “The energy, talent, and innovation here are world-class. Aligning creativity with investment structure is how you build something truly global.”
Chairman of Style House Files and Lagos Fashion Week, Tokunbo Akerele, stressed the fashion industry’s growing role in economic development, noting that engagement with the Exchange amplifies its potential for investment, job creation, and social impact.
The event highlighted sustainability as a pillar of Lagos Fashion Week, positioning the platform as a champion of circular economy practices and ESG-aligned creative enterprise.
By reinforcing ties between creativity and structured investment, NGX and Lagos Fashion Week solidified Lagos State’s status as Africa’s emerging gateway for creative industry investment.
