10,000 fashion producers to gather in Aba for ‘The Fashion Games 2026’

Arts & Entertainment, Business

ABA, Nigeria — 14 April 2026 (Agency Report) — No fewer than 10,000 fashion producers are expected to converge on Aba, Abia State, for the second edition of The Fashion Games 2026 (TFG 2026), organisers announced on Monday.

The event, organised by Ethnocentrique Limited, will also attract fashion enthusiasts, policymakers, and buyers. Chief Executive Officer Irunna Ejibe said the 2026 edition, themed “AHIA 360,” aims to showcase a holistic fashion market experience and promote the development of a structured fashion economy in Aba and across Nigeria.

Scheduled for April 28–29, the two-day programme will feature an industry-focused session for buyers, policymakers, and MSMEs on the first day, followed by a large public showcase at Enyimba International Stadium on the second day.

Ejibe recalled that the maiden edition in 2025 drew 4,500 participants and engaged 1,400 MSMEs, while 2,000 trainees graduated under the Fashion Future Programme (FFP), implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. She noted that Aba remains a major hub for garment, footwear, and accessory production, though many artisans lack access to finance, certification, and markets.

Chief Operating Officer Jeremiah Ubunamah added that Aba’s fashion cluster has the potential to grow into a $3 billion industry within five to ten years if supported with adequate infrastructure. He said the event would help address gaps in finance, intellectual property protection, and market linkages.

The first day will include deal-making sessions with buyers, retailers, government officials, and industry experts, culminating in business partnership signings. The second day will feature cluster parade competitions involving 25 production groups, runway presentations for emerging designers, and the graduation of new FFP participants.

Organisers say the initiative underscores Aba’s role as a fashion powerhouse and highlights opportunities for Nigeria’s creative economy.