By Funke Babs-Kufeji
Red carpet menswear in Nigeria used to be the predictable pause in an otherwise thrilling fashion conversation. Black tux, rinse, repeat. But at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), something shifted. The men arrived not just dressed but styled. Not just tailored, but curated. Gone were the safe bets and stiff lapels. In their place? Flair, fluidity, and fashion-forward audacity.
This year’s AMVCA red carpet didn’t just flirt with the idea of redefining masculine elegance — it fully committed. From sculptural brocades to shirts left deliberately missing, the men made it clear: style has entered its main character era. And we’re here for it.
Here’s how they did it — and why Nigerian menswear may never look the same again.
Desmond Elliott
Desmond Elliott showed up in what can only be described as a fashion risk with capital R — a black floor-length gown featuring an elephant motif. Was it a fashion favourite? Not exactly. But was it a conversation starter? Absolutely. It pushed the boundaries of masculine red-carpet fashion, challenging expectations and sparking debates across timelines. Safe? No. Courageous? Yes. And in a world of identical suits, that alone earns applause.
Akin Faminu
Trust Akin Faminu to bring drama and discipline in equal measure. Clad in a deep red floral tuxedo by Deji & Kola, Akin was regal, deliberate, and deeply rooted in Nigerian craftsmanship. Every thread of embroidery read like a love letter to detail. It wasn’t just a look — it was a masterclass in balance: classic tailoring meets cultural expression meets undeniable fashion moment. If menswear is a language, Akin’s was poetry.
Bucci Franklin
There’s something quietly dangerous about a man who knows when to keep it simple — and Bucci Franklin’s shirtless look proved that restraint can be just as sexy as excess. Sleek tailoring, bold accessories, and the confidence to let skin do some of the talking? It worked. Less really was more.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
By now, we expect Ebuka to deliver. But this year, he surprised us by making his designer the centrepiece. His black tuxedo, boldly printed with “Mai Atafo” in repeat script, turned fashion into authorship. Paired with a crisp lapel and skinny tie, the look was clean — but loud in all the right ways. It was part brand placement, part fashion diplomacy, and all Ebuka. A reminder that in his world, style is always intentional.
Saga Adeolu
Saga brought romance and richness with his emerald and sapphire brocade suit. The structured silhouette, the shimmer of the fabric, the intricately twisted lapel — it was all extra in the best possible way. Paired with minimal accessories and maximum poise, he proved that texture is the new print. It wasn’t just a look. It was a mood.
Mike Afolarin
While others chased drama, Mike Afolarin embraced the power of minimalism. A classic black suit, sharp white shirt, and crisp tailoring made him the quiet standout of the night. No embellishments. No theatrics. Just confidence and impeccable fit. A look that whispered sophistication — and still turned heads.
Elozonam
Elozonam didn’t come to blend in. His custom red flared suit by Jeff Urban Clothing was a bold reinvention of menswear silhouettes, complete with dramatic trousers and a blazer that meant business. But the real stunner? A tonal red floral appliqué on the back — soft, sculptural, unexpected. Paired with a matching red shirt and restrained accessories, it was part vintage drama, part modern cool. One of the evening’s true style risks — and rewards.
Chimezie Imo
Chimezie Imo didn’t just show up. He arrived. In a blood-red Fai World suit with an almost liquid-like texture, his look was more cinematic than red carpet. The inky patterns, the razor-sharp tailoring, the sheer intensity of the outfit — it was both fashion and feeling. A perfect match for his status as one of Nollywood’s most dynamic young actors. Art, but make it wearable.
Yhemo Lee
Yhemo Lee walked the line between art and structure in a textured French tweed jacket detailed with a subtle hand motif. Paired with crisp black trousers, the look was modern, sleek, and slightly subversive. Proof that you don’t need fireworks to make fashion magic — sometimes, a well-cut jacket with just the right twist does the trick.
