By TAIYE OLAYEMI

No fewer than 10,000 fashion producers are expected to converge on Aba for the second edition of ‘The Fashion Games 2026’ (TFG 2026).

The event, organised by Ethnocentrique Ltd., will also welcome fashion enthusiasts, policymakers and buyers.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ethnocentrique Ltd., Irunna Ejibe, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Ejibe said that the 2026 edition, with the theme “AHIA 360”, was aimed at presenting a holistic fashion market experience and showcasing efforts to build a structured and functional fashion economy in Aba and across Nigeria.

She said that the fashion show, scheduled to hold on April 28 and April 29, would feature a two-day programme designed to promote Nigeria’s fashion ecosystem and strengthen linkages across the value chain.

She noted that the programme would be held across two venues and formats, with a curated industry session for buyers, policymakers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on the first day.

She said a large public showcase at the Enyimba International Stadium will be held on the second day.

Ejibe recalled that the maiden edition in 2025 recorded 4,500 participants and engaged 1,400 MSMEs.

She said the platform graduated 2,000 trainees under the Fashion Future Programme (FFP), implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

She said the initiative was focused on creating enterprise opportunities for local producers through collaboration with government, private sector players and apprenticeship systems.

According to Ejibe, Aba remains a major hub for fashion production in Nigeria, with thousands of artisans engaged in garments, footwear, bags and other accessories, many of whom lack access to structured finance, certification and markets.

Also, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Jeremiah Ubunamah, said the Aba fashion cluster had the potential to grow into a three billion-dollar industry within the next five to 10 years if supported with the right infrastructure.

Ubunamah said the event would help address gaps in finance, intellectual property protection and market linkage within the sector.

He noted that the first day of the programme would feature a deal-making session involving buyers, retailers, government officials and industry experts, with selected MSMEs showcasing products, demonstrating production capacity and pitching for funding.

According to him, the session will culminate in a deal-signing engagement to facilitate business partnerships.

He said the second day would host a large public showcase, including the graduation ceremony for participants of the Fashion Future Programme, cluster parade competitions involving 25 production clusters, and runway presentations for emerging designers and MSMEs. (NAN)

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