Lagos Partners UNDP To Boost Fashion, Leather, Creative Enterprises
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning the state’s fashion, leather and creative industries as key drivers of economic growth through strategic partnerships, expanded market access and enterprise development.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, stated this at the two-day Fashion, Leather and Creative Enterprise Spotlight held at the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Industrial Leather Hub in Mushin.
The event, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was themed “Stitch, Scale and Sell: Crafting Prosperity.”
It brought together fashion designers, leather artisans, creative entrepreneurs, investors, development partners and policymakers to explore practical solutions for strengthening Nigeria’s fashion and leather value chains.
Describing Lagos as Nigeria’s creative capital, Benson-Awoyinka said the state’s vibrant fashion and leather industries continue to preserve culture, shape trends and project Nigerian creativity on the global stage.
She noted that the future of the creative economy lies in transforming talent into sustainable enterprises capable of creating jobs, attracting investments and competing in international markets.
“The future of the creative economy lies beyond talent alone. It lies in our ability to transform creativity into thriving enterprises that create jobs, attract investments, and compete confidently in the global marketplace,” she said.
The commissioner said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to promoting the creative economy through policies and programmes focused on innovation, capacity building, market access and strategic partnerships.
According to her, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture continues to showcase Lagos’ creative excellence through festivals, exhibitions, trade missions and other initiatives that connect local entrepreneurs with global business opportunities.
Benson-Awoyinka also highlighted the state’s collaboration with the UNDP, saying the partnership is aimed at addressing challenges related to global market access, payment systems, quality standardisation for the Made-in-Lagos brand, access to finance and regional trade logistics across Africa.
“We are working with the UNDP to frontally challenge the identified inhibitions on connectivity and access to global markets, payment systems, standardisation and quality control, finance for entrepreneurs, and regional logistics for trade in Africa,” she said.
She urged fashion designers and leather artisans to embrace professionalism, innovation and quality, while protecting their intellectual property and building globally competitive brands.
The commissioner also encouraged investors, development partners and industry stakeholders to support the sector, describing creative professionals as entrepreneurs, innovators and wealth creators whose ideas deserve investment and global recognition.
She expressed confidence that the spotlight would promote stronger collaborations, create business opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs and further position Lagos as Africa’s leading creative hub.
