Aba: 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.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the 2026 edition, themed ‘AHIA 360’, aims to present a holistic fashion market experience and showcase efforts to build a structured and functional fashion economy in Aba and across Nigeria. The fashion show, scheduled for April 28 and April 29, features a two-day programme designed to promote Nigeria’s fashion ecosystem and strengthen linkages across the value chain. The event will 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, and a large public showcase at the Enyimba International Stadium on the second day.
Ejibe recalled that the maiden edition in 2025 recorded 4,500 participants and engaged 1,400 MSMEs. The platform graduated 2,000 trainees under the Fashion Future Programme (FFP), implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The initiative focuses 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. The Chief Operating Officer of Ethnocentrique Ltd., Jeremiah Ubunamah, stated that the Aba fashion cluster could potentially grow into a three billion-dollar industry within the next five to ten years if supported with the right infrastructure.
Ubunamah explained that the event aims to address gaps in finance, intellectual property protection, and market linkage within the sector. The first day of the programme will 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. This session will culminate in a deal-signing engagement to facilitate business partnerships. On the second day, a large public showcase will include 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.