Inside Nigeria’s Growing Fashion Education Scene
When people talk about Nigerian fashion, the conversation often jumps to the designers who’ve made headlines; Kenneth Ize, Ejiro Amos-Tafiri, Orange Culture’s Adebayo Oke-Lawal (and the likes). But behind those names is a less discussed story: the classrooms, workshops, and academies where future designers sharpen their craft. With the FashionEVO Student Designer Competition underway, it’s worth mapping out how Nigeria’s fashion schools are quietly shaping the industry’s next wave.
Some of the most established players have proven their impact over decades. Yaba College of Technology (YabaTech), for instance, has one of Nigeria’s most respected fashion design programs. Ejiro Amos-Tafiri is one of its most notable alumnae, graduating top of her class before building her eponymous label, now a world class Fashion Week regular. Alumni like her show how a solid technical foundation can translate into global ready brands.
Beyond the old guard, newer academies are rewriting what fashion education means. GMYT Fashion Academy, founded by Princess Kelechi Oghene, positions itself not only as a training ground but as a launchpad. The academy has given out hundreds of scholarships, gifted graduates industrial sewing machines, and runs the GMYT Foundation, which focuses on youth empowerment through fashion. Its annual graduation shows are treated as full fledged runways. Platforms where students aren’t just learners but creators with industry presence.
On a different front, the Adire Oodua Textile Hub in Ile-Ife takes a heritage first approach. Established under the House of Oduduwa Foundation led by the Ooni of Ife, it was created to preserve and modernize Yoruba adire dyeing traditions. Students here don’t just learn how to design garments; they engage in textile production rooted in cultural identity. In 2022, the hub partnered with UNESCO on programs to revive indigenous textile knowledge, proving how fashion education can be both a creative and cultural project.
There are also industry facing schools like the Nigerian Institute of Production Management (NIPM), which, while not exclusively a fashion academy, plays a critical role in training professionals in textile and garment production management. Their programs equip people with the operational and industrial backbone the fashion sector needs, bridging the gap between creativity and large scale production, a gap that has long limited African designers in competing with global fast fashion systems.
But the story isn’t just about institutions, it’s also about the platforms tied to them. The Nigerian Student Fashion & Design Week (NSFDW), which staged its comeback in 2024 after a five year break, remains a vital showcase. Designers like Faith Oluwajimi of Bloke once cut their teeth on its stage. Without such exposure, many students might never step beyond their classrooms.
Challenges remain, of course. Many schools still operate with limited infrastructure: outdated equipment, weak digital resources, and inconsistent funding. Yet, the results often speak louder than the shortcomings. At Rhoda Michaels Fashion Institute, for instance, even with students frequently having to share machines and work around erratic power supply, a 15 year old graduate still managed to debut his first collection at the academy’s annual showcase, a reminder that talent finds ways to push through systemic barriers.
What ties all of these stories together is how much fashion education in Nigeria now extends beyond learning to sew. Schools are embedding entrepreneurship, branding, and cultural literacy into their curriculum, training designers to be both creators and business leaders. This ecosystem is no longer just about producing garments; it’s about producing storytellers who can carry Africa’s fashion identity into global arenas.
At FashionEVO, we believe these institutions and the work they do are essential to the future of African creativity. That’s why, at this year’s Africa Creative Market, we’re proud to spotlight fashion education through the FashionEVO Summit & Show in partnership with 360 Creative Hub. Part of this commitment includes the FashionEVO Student Designer Competition, which opens the stage to students from universities, polytechnics, and fashion schools across Nigeria. By moving sketches from the classroom to a public runway, the competition goes beyond celebrating raw talent but also ensures the next generation of designers are seen, heard, and supported within the wider creative economy. Sign up for the FashionEVO Summit and Show here to witness!
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