Business
FirstBank Partners Eventful to Support SMEs in the Fashion Industry
As part of efforts to provide access to market and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Small Medium Scale Enterprise (SMEs) of the fashion industry, First Bank of Nigeria Limited partnered with Eventful Nigeria Limited on its event, fashion souk, a platform that creates an opportunity for players in the fashion industry to exhibit and sell their wares to the thousands of event participants.
Speaking at the event held in Lagos recently, the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, said the bank has over the years, since its founding, been very supportive of the entrepreneurial space and SMEs, adding that the role of the bank is that of an enabler.
“FirstBank has been involved in every sector of the economy since 1894, so if you think about that there is no sector we have not been involved in, in fact this particular fashion souk, we are the pioneer sponsor and we sponsored it right from when it started.”
Ani-Mumuney explained that the fashion industry over the years has grown incredibly and added that it has helped to grow other businesses.
According to her, “Just like Nigerian music, the fashion industry is still in its infancy. We have great talents and potential in the fashion industry. Let’s consider the developed fashion industry of Italy for instance and the entire value chain of fashion, it tells you that there is a lot to be done. We still need to have fashion zones in core Cities and States, so that within a particular zone, you could have the cutters, button hole creation and others.
“The great thing is that we have a market here, but beyond that is that we could easily become the fashion hub for Africa, especially its export across continents. The fashion industry is diverse and versatile with many roles carried-out by individuals with uniquely different skill-set. Some persons could focus on finishing; some could focus on sketching, garment making and other areas. Indeed, Nigeria are fashion freaks, with a large and diverse market.
Also at the event was Nollywood actor and producer Kunle Afolayan whom had his clothing line Ire Clothing, displayed. Afolayan, the Chief Executive Officer of Ire Clothing said he started the clothing line with just the Kunle Kembe, and presently, it has expanded to about five, six collections.
He also stated that what inspired Ire clothing is because of his love for arts and anything that deals with the Nigerian cultural heritage and helps to document culture, “so with Ire clothing, we use Africa fabrics, Anakara, Adire and others.”
Afoloyan explained that he has modified the old Yoruba Kembe style to something that is now pop culture so that the younger generation can also wear it, adding that there are T-shirts and Kunle’s Dansiki which is a bit smaller than the traditional Dansiki, and face caps.
According to him, “The brand story we are trying to tell is that we want people to embrace their own culture and tradition; use it to their advantage and use it to the world. I think the fashion industry is striving and it’s been here for a very longtime and it is doing better because a lot of our people are exporting our clothing abroad.”
In his remarks, veteran comedian, Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali baba, said the fashion souk is a platform of opportunities and a collage of business ideas, providing a platform for people to network and express business innovations.
According to Ali baba, “To expand the frontiers of the fashion industry, there is need for exposure and the social media is helping a great deal to improve the employment needs of Nigerians. Once the employment statistics increases there will be higher purchasing power and people will tend to invest and spend more in fashion. In a country of about 200 million people, one should be able to do one million sales in months. But I think we will get there someday. We need to grow our textile industry and revamp the textile companies, which implies that we have to revive the production of cotton so that players in the industry can have access to raw materials, thereby cutting down production cost.”
Also speaking at the event, popular television presenter and model, Uti Nwachukwu, expressed satisfaction with the event, commending the organisers for creating an avenue to convene fashion vendors under one roof to provide their wares at discounted and affordable rates, while giving customers the opportunities to patronize their brands.
He further stated that the fashion souk gives the vendors an opportunity to showcase what they have to sell and creates opportunity for them to advertise their products.
Nwachukwu added: “A lot of vendors and customers here are happy. It is a give and take situation that works well. The fashion industry in Nigeria is the most underrated industry; there is so much potential, and greatness in the fashion industry.
“We have great designers that will shine in any part of the world. It is a great gesture the bank is making by supporting the industry. I just wish the bank can help these designers to get to international level of exposure. Our designs are wonderful, African prints are in fashion in different parts of the world. Finance and exposure are the key challenges facing the industry, if it is properly addressed, things will work out well.”
Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading Pan‑African financial services group, Ecobank Group, has announced the fifth edition of the Adire Lagos Experience, its flagship cultural and creative industry showcase. The event will take place from June 11–14, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos.
The 2026 edition is themed “Threads Across Borders,” celebrating the depth and global resonance of Adire as a uniquely Nigerian art form, while positioning it within Africa’s broader textile and cultural narrative.
Rooted in Nigeria’s rich heritage, the Adire Lagos Experience continues to serve as a gateway for cross‑border cultural exchange, reinforcing Ecobank’s Pan‑African vision through culture‑led commerce.
The four‑day event will feature over 100 vendors, with the exhibition remaining predominantly Nigerian, reflecting the country’s leadership as the home and heartland of Adire production. To enrich diversity and continental collaboration, 10 percent of participating vendors will come from outside Nigeria, offering complementary African textile expressions and creative perspectives that foster knowledge exchange and cross‑border partnerships.
Speaking on the upcoming event, Omoboye Odu, Head, SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, highlighted the intentional balance between cultural authenticity and Pan‑African inclusion.
“Adire is proudly Nigerian, and this platform remains firmly anchored in celebrating our local artisans and creative enterprises. At the same time, Ecobank’s Pan‑African mandate allows us to thoughtfully open the space to creators from other African markets, encouraging collaboration, shared learning, and trade connections that elevate African craftsmanship as a whole,” she said.
Beyond the exhibition booths, the Adire Lagos Experience 2026 will offer indigenous cuisine, African music and cultural performances, alongside curated networking and business engagement sessions designed to strengthen linkages across the Adire and wider creative value chain—from artisans and designers to merchants, buyers, and cultural enthusiasts.
As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting SMEs and the creative economy, Ecobank has opened registration for prospective exhibitors, with selected applicants eligible to receive complimentary exhibition booths. Applications close on April 28, 2026.
Through the Adire Lagos Experience, Ecobank continues to champion Nigeria’s cultural leadership while advancing Pan‑African collaboration—transforming heritage into enterprise and reinforcing its role as a truly Pan‑African institution driving impact beyond banking.
As the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitaliSation exercise came to an end March 31, 2026, most banks operating in the country rose to the challenge and met the requirement ahead of time.
However, Fidelity Bank’s proactive approach paid off, and it continued to demonstrate its commitment to growth and innovation. In a remarkable display of investor confidence, Fidelity Bank opened and concluded a private placement in just one day on December 31, 2025. Leading institutions, including AFREXIM Bank and its subsidiaries, invested in the bank, showcasing their faith in Fidelity’s vision and leadership.
With the CBN’s verification process complete, Fidelity Bank’s capital base now exceeds the required N500 billion threshold. This milestone positions the bank to expand its footprint, drive growth, and deliver returns to investors.
Market analysts stated that the successful completion of the private placement underscores strong investor confidence in the bank’s growth strategy, governance framework and long-term fundamentals, even amid tightening regulatory standards and evolving macroeconomic conditions.
The lender had announced to the investing public that it has surpassed the N500billion regulatory capital threshold following the successful completion of a N259billion private placement of ordinary shares.
The Company Secretary, Fidelity Bank, Ezinwa Unuigboje in a signed statement on Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) disclosed that the private placement, conducted with the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was opened and closed on December 31, 2025.
According to her, the proceeds from the exercise lifted Fidelity Bank’s eligible capital from N305.5billion to N564.5billion, subject to final regulatory approvals.
The latest capital raise positions the lender comfortably above the new minimum capital requirement of N500billion for commercial banks with international authorisation, as stipulated by the apex bank under its banking sector recapitalisation programme. According to the bank, the private placement was carried out pursuant to the mandate granted by shareholders at its Extraordinary General Meeting held on February 6, 2025.
At the meeting, shareholders authorised the board to issue up to 20 billion ordinary shares through a private placement as part of measures to strengthen the bank’s capital base and enhance its capacity to support economic growth. The N259billion raised through the private placement builds on earlier capital-raising efforts by the bank. Fidelity Bank had stolen the show by taking a bold step in June 2024, launching a Public Offer and Rights Issue to raise capital.
Fidelity Bank successfully raised N175.85billion via a combination of a public offer and rights issue, which had increased its eligible capital to N305.5billion at the time. That exercise left a capital shortfall of N194.5billion relative to the new regulatory benchmark, a gap now fully covered by the latest transaction. Fidelity Bank’s strategic moves have set it up for success, and the stage is set for the bank to make significant strides in the Nigerian banking sector. Fidelity Bank noted that the strengthened capital position will enhance its balance sheet resilience, support business expansion, and enable it to play a more robust role in financing key sectors of the Nigerian economy, in line with regulatory expectations. The bank added that it remains focused on value creation for shareholders, prudent risk management and sustained profitability as it navigates the post-recapitalisation phase of the banking sector. Meanwhile, the stock price of Fidelity Bank closed trading April 10, 2026 at N19.50 per share on the NGX.
Access Bank Plc has been named Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand for the fifth consecutive year by Brand Finance, reinforcing its leadership position in the country’s financial services sector.
Brand Finance announced this in its Nigeria 25 2026 report, which ranks the country’s strongest brands based on brand value, brand strength, and underlying business performance. According to the report, Access Bank’s brand value stands at ₦773.2 billion, maintaining its number one ranking despite short term macro-economic and market pressures.
It attributed the marginal year-on-year decline in brand value to a deliberate strategic shift, as the Bank continues to prioritise long term growth, regional expansion, and international scale over shortterm domestic margins.
Brand Finance pointed out that Access Bank’s sustained leadership reflects a longterm brand strategy anchored on scale, trust, and regional relevance, positioning the Bank to maintain brand strength and resilience as Nigeria’s economy continues its gradual recovery and the competitive landscape evolves.
It highlighted Access Bank’s transition from a local market leader to a cross continental financial infrastructure provider, noting that stronger contributions from its African operations helped offset a decline in Nigerian income during the period. This repositioning supports the Bank’s ambition of serving as a key gateway between Africa and global financial markets.
Importantly, the Brand Finance report also recorded a strengthening of the Access Bank brand, with the Bank rising to third place nationally on the Brand Strength Index (BSI), achieving a score of 88.7/100 and retaining an AAA brand rating. Brand Finance links this improvement to stronger brand coherence across markets and clearer strategic positioning following the consolidation of international acquisitions.
Commenting, Babatunde Odumeru, Managing Director, Brand Finance Nigeria, said, a defining shift in the business environment has been the movement from survival to resilience, with brands that invested through uncertainty now emerging stronger.
“This report highlights a key trend: trust is now the fundamental driver of business growth. With consumers now more cautious about how they spend their money, brands must offer a reliability premium in order to build trust, which is an essential foundation for customer loyalty. The brands that have achieved this have not just stood out but have consistently grown their brand value and maintained their lead in the Brand Finance rankings: If you are reliable, you are valuable.”
Odumeru noted that the rankings were dominated by the banking and manufacturing sectors, driven by homegrown resilience and digital savviness required to convert engagement into customer loyalty. This dynamic, he said, reflects a collaborative strength between the two sectors that continues to underpin Nigeria’s overall brand value.
The Brand Finance Nigeria 25 report is published annually and assesses Nigeria’s leading brands using a combination of brand value, brand strength, and comprehensive market analysis.
