Nigeria Fashion Week concluded its 2026 edition in Abuja, marking a significant shift from its usual Lagos venue. For the first time, the event relocated from the country’s bustling economic hub to the centrally planned capital, reflecting efforts to develop Abuja’s emerging creative scene.
Over several days, Nigerian models showcased designs characterized by voluminous silhouettes and intricate layering, drawing inspiration from vibrant cultural celebrations such as the Calabar Carnival and Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro Carnival. The garments featured elaborate textiles in bold colors and detailed patterns, transforming the relatively subdued capital into a stage for avant-garde fashion.
Lexy Mojo-Eyes, the event’s organiser and a Lagos native, described Abuja as a city known for its slow pace and laid-back atmosphere. He expressed ambitions to shift this reputation by cultivating Abuja as a center for fashion innovation, contrasting it with the energetic, sprawling Lagos metropolis. “We want to change the dynamics, we want to build Abuja as a fashion city,” Mojo-Eyes stated.
Nigeria moved its capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, seeking a more centralized and planned administrative center. Yet, more than three decades later, parts of Abuja’s downtown still reflect incomplete development, with a mix of modern offices, vacant lots, and older farms. While Lagos remains Nigeria’s dominant economic and cultural powerhouse, hosting major corporations and the influential Nollywood film industry, Abuja has yet to challenge the city’s prominence in these sectors.
Libyan designer Rabia Ben Barka, whose collection of shimmering dresses was part of the show, noted the contrast during her first visit to Nigeria. She described Abuja as notably “clean” and well-organized, with people greeting visitors warmly. Ben Barka is recognized in the fashion world for her extensive experience, including designing for prominent figures such as the late Muammar Gaddafi’s wife.
Nigeria Fashion Week’s relocation to Abuja highlights the country’s efforts to diversify its cultural and creative industries beyond Lagos, aiming to enhance the capital’s profile and contribute to its development as a fashion destination.