The 9th edition of the Nigerian Students Fashion & Design Week (NSFDW) concluded on December 20, 2025 at GAC Motors, Victoria Island.
The three-day event solidified its status as Africa’s premier launchpad for emerging fashion designers.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos’ peak creative season, NSFDW 2025 brought together industry leaders, stylists, and fashion enthusiasts to witness the future of African fashion.
The event featured 16 designers who presented collections ranging from traditional heritage couture to experimental streetwear.
The pinnacle of the event was the announcement of the NSFDW 2025 Most Creative Designer Estazwere and the Viewers Choice Designer Konvetti,, with each receiving a cash prize of One Million Naira (₦1,000,000) and a prestigious, sponsored showcase at New York Fashion Week and Dallas Fashion Week 2026.
Josh Amor, Kola Kuddus, and Rhoda Ebun adjudicated the Most Creative Designer category. True to its mission of nurturing talent, NSFDW 2025 transcended the runway with an intensive workshop series.
This year’s sessions featured a distinguished lineup of industry leaders, including Sheye Oladejo (Founder, Sheye Oladejo), Damilola Ademilokun
(founder, Obsidian Advisory Africa), Fiyin Ogunlesi (founder, Regal Stone Capital), Samuel Ekpemede (BD Lead, Risevest), Bernice Ofunre Asein (founder, Fashion Law Institute Africa), Sonaon Cadmus(fashion educator), and Rhoda Aguonigho (executive director, Lhaude Africa).
Together, they provided young creatives with vital mentorship on sustainable practices, brand positioning, fashion law, and the financial frameworks needed to scale fashion as a business.
“NSFDW is more than a fashion week; it is an ecosystem that discovers, nurtures and showcases Nigeria’s next generation of talent,” saidfouner of NSFDW, Abiola Olimorade.
“We are not just putting clothes on a runway, we are equipping designers with the tools and global exposure necessary to shape the future of the creative economy,” he added while reflecting on the platform’s impact.
The 2025 edition also served as a moment of appreciation for long-standing partners and industry stalwarts who have championed the platform since its inception.
Honorees included Sola Oyebade (founder, Mahogany International), Dr Akin Faminu, Pamilerin Adegoke, Kola Kuddus, Sola Babatunde, Ejiro Amos Tafiri.and Chris Oputa.
With alumni showcasing on international stages such as Dallas Fashion Week, NSFDW remains a vital bridge between local talent and the global fashion industry.
This ninth edition reaffirms the platform’s position as Africa’s most influential launchpad, proving that for the next generation of Nigerian designers, the world is truly their runway.
