Some brands make noise. Others make impact. Ijeoma Ubosi’s Kontessa Group has quietly shaped the Nigerian fashion retail space for 25 years—no gimmicks, no theatrics, just consistency, taste, and the kind of vision that ages well.
In 2000, when she opened the first Kontessa store at Elpina Plaza in Victoria Island, premium fashion retail in Nigeria was still an undefined space. But Ijeoma saw what was possible. She understood that women wanted more—more than just clothes, they wanted curated experiences, excellent service, and a brand that truly understood their evolving tastes. What started as a single fashion-forward store has evolved into a multi-city powerhouse with locations in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Warri. And still, she’s only just beginning.
Over the years, Kontessa has become synonymous with stylish longevity, a brand that has outlasted trends, recessions, and the rollercoaster of the Nigerian economy. But Ijeoma didn’t stop at retail. Her ventures now span jewellery through Arsenal Ventures, premium gifting with Motivo Limited, children’s fashion via Kontessa Kids, and even international fashion with Nara Camicie. Beyond fashion, she has made bold moves into real estate and tech, investing in early-stage startups like MTech, Kamdora, and 440.NG at a time when “tech entrepreneur” wasn’t yet a buzzword.
Her superpower? A deep understanding of people, especially women. Ijeoma knows her customer—and perhaps just as importantly, she knows herself. From her background in Pharmacy to executive training at Columbia, LSE, Lagos Business School and Henley, she has married instinct with intelligence, intuition with strategy. And while she’s long preferred to let her work speak for itself, there’s a visible shift now. As she marks 25 years in business, she’s ready to step into the light—not for vanity, but for legacy.
In this rare and wide-ranging conversation, she opens up about her journey, her wins, her lessons, and what comes next for the woman who’s built an empire, invested in the future, and is finally ready to take centre stage.
Congratulations on 25 years of Kontessa. What does reaching that milestone mean to you?
Thank you very much! For me personally, it represents years of hard work, dedication, resilience, passion, but above all, God’s grace over the years. Through the ups and downs and challenges that come with running a business, I have learnt not just about business but also about people, perseverance, and the power of staying true to your values.
It’s also a testament to the trust our customers have placed in the brand and journeyed with us. And the dedication to the incredible team I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years.
The retail landscape has evolved significantly over the last 25 years, and reaching this milestone means we have been able to evolve, adapt, and continue delivering value. It’s a celebration of relevance, service, and consistency.
Let’s go back to the beginning—what was your boldest move when you opened your first store at Elpina Plaza in 2000?
The decision to move into a commercial retail space was a daring and bold move. I had started 2years earlier from the boot of my car and progressed to a room in our boys’ quarters, plus I also couldn’t afford the rent of N250,000 per annum and had to pay 2 years upfront. I was confident that I would get good returns on this investment, It wouldn’t be easy but I was commited
How did you know, in those early years, that this was more than just a boutique—it was going to be a brand?
One of the main indicators was customer loyalty that extended beyond the product, as customers formed an emotional connection with the story and its values, which was about building a lasting relationship.
Word of mouth and organic growth was phenomenal and very instrumental in building the brand we have today.
I was intentional about investing in myself early on by acquiring knowledge through reading relevant business books and attending courses on starting a business and building a brand. This helped solidify my gut instinct and ambition for how I envisioned the brand growing over the years.
What has been the most surprising thing about running a fashion and lifestyle retail business in Nigeria for two and a half decades?
The most surprising thing, honestly, is how style savvy and resourceful my clients are. We tend to underestimate how informed and intentional our customers are. They also place a lot of trust and faith in the brand, expecting to grow with you through the seasons, so you realise that customers want to have experiences, not just transactions. This keeps you sharp and on your toes.
On the flip side, the business terrain in Nigeria is no joke. Operational challenges, from constant changes in customs and other regulatory requirements to currency fluctuations, constantly test your resilience and drive. Being in the people business, customers expect a certain level of customer experience, which means simple things like power, security, and good customer service. All these add to your overheads but are important.
Fashion in Nigeria has changed dramatically in the past 25 years—how have you evolved with it without losing the Kontessa DNA?
The Kontessa DNA has always been and remains about curating fashion with a distinct point of view. We have always believed a woman should wear her accessories and clothes, not the other way round.
We embraced digital by meeting our customers where they are—online. From reimagining our in-store experience for social media to building a stronger online presence, we’ve made it easier for women to discover and engage with Kontessa beyond the physical store. Whether it’s styling tips on Instagram or personal shopping over WhatsApp, we’ve leaned into tech in a way that still feels personal.
As for global trends, we’ve never just followed them—we interpret them through a Kontessa lens. We pay attention to what’s happening around the world, but we always ask: how does this serve our women? Whether it’s the return of minimalist tailoring or bold African prints going global, we curate what resonates and adapt it in a way that feels fresh, relevant, and true to our signature elegance.
We evolve by listening, staying rooted to our values of quality and commitment to elegance, individuality and a sense of timeless style.
Running multiple stores across cities like Lagos, Abuja, Warri, and Port Harcourt must be a logistical dance. How do you keep it all flowing?
Having structures in place, efficient processes, and a standard operating manual shared among all branches has made it easier to run multiple branches.
You’ve since diversified into several ventures—jewellery, corporate gifts,
What makes you say yes to a new idea?
For me, saying yes to a new idea starts with alignment. It has to connect with my values and instincts. The opportunity has to be good and where one can make a difference and expand one’s portfolio.
I also do a lot of research into whatever new venture I plan to diversify into, not just because others are doing it. It has to connect to my values and my instincts, and I also have to see the value.
And let’s talk about Arsenal Ventures—what’s the story behind your move into gold and diamond jewellery?
My foray into jewellery started about 20 years ago while on a business trip to Milan for a leather goods fair. I went with an older friend to a jewellery wholesaler, and she encouraged me to buy a few pieces and test the market.
Would you say Nigerian consumers are becoming more open to homegrown premium brands?
The shift in embracing Nigerian brands, especially over the past decade, has been dramatic. Gen Y and Z have taken to wearing and promoting homegrown talent and brands. With the advent of social media and digital marketing, brands have taken full advantage of their offerings.
What’s your take on the future of retail in Nigeria, especially with digital, influencers, and changing customer behaviour?
The future of retail in Nigeria will be a blend of digital agility and emotional connection, and how you utilise these two elements to tell your story and convey your purpose. A greater proportion of the Nigerian customer is young, mobile-savvy, and global in their tastes.
We are seeing a shift from transactional to experiential. People want to belong instead of just buying, being attracted to brands that reflect their values and speak their language while creating moments.
Digital is definitely leading the way with e-commerce, social commerce, even WhatsApp selling, but I don’t believe it will fully replace physical retail, more likely a hybrid.
If you could distil 25 years into one powerful lesson, what would it be?
Stay rooted but never stay still.
The world will change, customers will evolve, and you will be tested. It’s the ability to find your path, pivot if and when necessary, and grow organically, rather than chasing every trend, that’s the essential element in building something that lasts.
If Kontessa were a woman, how would you describe her personality?
She is bold, resilient, graceful, generous, a thinker and a builder.
Do you think Nigerian entrepreneurs—especially women—get enough credit for how hard they work to build brands from scratch?
Honestly, I don’t think they get enough credit. Usually, we build from scratch with limited resources, minimal support from people and institutions, in environments that demand a thick skin to survive, how much more to thrive.
Despite the numerous hurdles they face, we still manage to create exceptional brands and businesses that compete at very high levels.
The role of an entrepreneur is often juggled while wearing numerous other hats – wife, mother, community leader, etc.- yet we are often undercelebrated or dismissed as small businesses, forgetting that we are making a serious impact and contributing to society.
You’ve juggled building an empire with raising three children. What hasthat balance looked like for you through the years?
I have a very strong support system, and so I have been able to navigate all fronts quite well. I am married to an incredible man, Chris, who has allowed me to fly as high as I wanted to. He’s my No. 1 cheerleader, encourager and backbone. Our children are grown up now, though in the early days, on my numerous business trips, I had strong family support and staff, without which would have been very difficult.
What’s your relationship with visibility now? Are you finally ready to bethe face of the empire you built?
I am naturally a shy person who is not very comfortable speaking in public, and have been more comfortable building behind the scenes and letting the work, the brand and the experience speak for themselves.
Increasingly, though, I am being urged to share my story more, not for applause or vanity, but out of a sense of responsibility to inspire the younger ones and to show what is possible when you build with purpose and integrity.
What legacy are you trying to build—not just for Kontessa, but for Nigerian fashion, and women entrepreneurs coming after you?
The legacy I’m building is about opening doors that I didn’t find open, sharing my story, and being transparent about my journey so others can learn from my mistakes. Reminding the next generation to be audacious in their thinking and aspirations, and encouraging them to build, own and become the story.
My desire will be to leave behind more than a brand new blueprint. One that says you can start small,, like I did, from my car boot, and still reach the top. You can lead with grace and passion yet still command power. You can build a business with integrity and other core values and make it last.
