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Aba Fashion Week Targets Global Spotlight, Set For November 24–27
Aba Fashion Week Targets Global Spotlight, Set For November 24–27
Abia State Government has said the 2026 Aba Fashion Week will provide a platform for local fashion designers to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship to a global audience.
The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuribe, stated this in Umuahia during a press briefing organised in collaboration with the committee for the event.
Ekwuribe said the initiative aligns with Governor Alex Otti’s vision of creating an enabling environment for creative talents to thrive while promoting Aba’s strengths in fashion, garment production, footwear and other creative industries.
He disclosed that the state was pursuing international recognition for Aba through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network, a move expected to enhance the city’s global visibility and open up opportunities for local creative businesses.
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As part of the process, he said a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments was expected to visit selected facilities in Aba to assess the city’s creative potential.
According to him, recognition under the UNESCO network would connect Aba with other creative cities worldwide, attract international attention and create opportunities for designers, manufacturers and other creative entrepreneurs.
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He added that the government was working to expand the reach of Abia’s creative industry through participation in fashion and cultural programmes outside the state, including planned engagements in Lagos and Paris.
Ekwuribe said the Otti administration was also exploring initiatives to strengthen the creative economy by supporting designers and manufacturers and improving market opportunities for their businesses.
He described Aba Fashion Week as more than a fashion show, noting that it would highlight the city’s creative capacity, promote local brands and attract wider commercial interest.
Also speaking, the founder of Aba Fashion Week, Mr Ugomdi Ogbonna, said the four-day event would feature a mini trade fair, street fashion, a masterclass and a grand finale runway show.
He said the trade fair would hold on November 24, followed by the street fashion event on November 25 and the masterclass on November 26. The runway show, scheduled for November 27, would feature designers showcasing their collections at GIA Event Centre, along Aba–Owerri Road, Aba.
Ogbonna said the programme was designed to give designers greater exposure while equipping them with entrepreneurial skills and the knowledge needed to compete in global markets.
He emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship, merchandising, digital marketing and compliance with international best practices in building sustainable fashion businesses.
According to him, the event would help designers understand international market standards and connect with potential customers and business partners.
He added that participation was open to interested designers who met the basic requirements, with efforts being made to accommodate as many applicants as possible.
Ogbonna said the masterclass would be free and could accommodate more than 5,000 participants, while the street fashion event would offer another opportunity for designers and members of the public to take part.
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