The Brands, Creatives, and Products Putting ‘Made in Nigeria’ on the Global Map
Made in Nigeria is more than a label. It’s a declaration of creative independence, a fusion of culture and innovation, and a testament to a generation rewriting the narrative of African excellence. Across fashion, beauty, technology, cuisine, and art, Nigerian creators are shifting global attention toward their own orbit—one bold idea, one visionary product at a time.
Gone are the days when validation had to come from abroad before it counted at home. The Nigerian dream has evolved: it’s global by ambition but proudly local in origin. Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and beyond have become breeding grounds for world-class innovation—fuelled by a deep connection to heritage and an unshakable belief in possibility. Today’s trailblazers are not waiting for permission. They’re building from scratch, scaling from Instagram to international runways, from backyard kitchens to Michelin mentions, from dorm-room code to VC-backed ventures.
“Homegrown and Global” is not just a trend—it’s a revolution. It’s about celebrating our roots while reaching for the stars. It’s a movement led by young, dynamic Nigerians who believe creativity doesn’t have to come at the cost of identity, and that international recognition is most powerful when it honours where we come from. These innovators are blending the rich textures of Nigerian culture with cutting-edge thinking. They are building ecosystems, launching movements, and redefining what it means to be world-class from a Nigerian point of view.
This cover feature is a tribute to that unstoppable spirit. It celebrates the individuals and brands who are putting Nigerian excellence on the world stage—and doing it without compromise. They aren’t mimicking Western models. They’re defining new standards. Each name here is proof that Made in Nigeria is a mark of quality, creativity, and cultural power. Their successes tell a bigger story—one of resilience, originality, and a refusal to be boxed in.
Fashion: Bold Threads, Global Reach
Fashion designers like KanyinsolaOnalaja, Emmy Kasbit, Chuks Collins, Andrea Iyamah, Lagos Space Programme, and Kai Collective by FisayoLonge are reshaping the global fashion conversation by putting Nigerian narratives front and center.
KanyinsolaOnalaja, founder of the Onalaja label, creates wearable art rooted in bold textures, hand embellishments, and architectural form. Her designs draw from Nigerian heritage while leaning into avant-garde femininity—bridging tradition and the cutting edge. The brand is a visual language of empowerment and individuality.
Emmy Kasbit stands out for reviving the traditional Igbo Akwete cloth, transforming it into sharply tailored, high-fashion pieces that honour heritage while advancing a contemporary African identity.
His label champions sustainability and craftsmanship, showcasing indigenous textiles on runways from Lagos to Paris.
Chuks Collins brings a powerful message of transformation and healing through fashion. His brand blends Nigerian storytelling with diasporic influence, merging fluid silhouettes with dramatic flair.
Chuks’ work resonates globally, yet remains deeply connected to themes of culture, resilience, and reinvention.
Andrea Iyamah, known for her sculptural swimwear and romantic resort pieces, has long mastered the balance between elegance and edge.
With a clientele ranging from Beyoncé to fashion-forward brides, Andrea’s designs are rooted in African aesthetics but speak fluently to global luxury. Her brand celebrates femininity, diaspora pride, and intentional design.
Lagos Space Programme, founded by Adeju Thompson, is a genderless fashion label at the intersection of culture, politics, and identity.
Celebrated for its thoughtful storytelling, handwoven fabrics, and minimalist tailoring, the brand explores queerness, tradition, and futurism through a Nigerian lens. It has earned international acclaim, including recognition from the prestigious International Woolmark Prize.
Kai Collective by FisayoLonge represents the digital-age evolution of Nigerian fashion.
Known for its viral Gaia print and empowering silhouettes, the brand fuses bold design with inclusive values. Built on social media savvy, transparency, and community, Fisayo’s label connects with a global audience of women seeking power, beauty, and authenticity in what they wear.
Also rising fast is Veekee James, whose structured gowns and glamorous designs have dominated red carpets and Nigerian social media. She’s redefining bridal and occasion wear by fusing Western-style tailoring with African boldness. Her story is one of grassroots growth—building from Instagram to international orders.
Together, these designers and many more are not just dressing the world—they’re reimagining it, using fashion as a canvas for identity, pride, and storytelling.
Beauty: Skincare with Soul
In the beauty space, brands like Arami Essentials and Ajali Naturals are championing clean, African-rooted wellness. Their use of indigenous ingredients—shea butter, baobab oil, turmeric, and black soap—isn’t just aesthetic. It’s restorative, mindful, and proudly homegrown. They tell stories of skin healing, self-love, and cultural pride. Their minimal yet luxurious branding competes globally, with loyal buyers from Lagos to London, Accra to Atlanta.
These beauty entrepreneurs see wellness as a cultural act—rooted in ritual, heritage, and ancestral knowledge. Their products aren’t just shelf-worthy; they are symbols of reclamation, pride, and global relevance.
Tech: Built for Africa, Scaled for the World
In fintech, Odunayo Eweniyi of PiggyVest is changing the culture of saving and investing in Nigeria, especially among young people. With a sharp eye for user experience and a deep understanding of Nigeria’s financial habits, PiggyVest has become a go-to platform for millennials and Gen Z.
Meanwhile, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Andelaand Flutterwave, is reshaping Africa’s digital infrastructure.
Through his firm Future Africa, he funds and mentors the next generation of African innovators. Aboyeji has been named among the Top 100 Most Influential Africans.
Another standout is 54gene, the pioneering healthtech company founded by Dr. AbasiEne-Obong. With a mission to close the global genomics data gap, 54gene harnesses African genetic diversity to drive medical breakthroughs.
The company is building world-class biobanking and research infrastructure in Nigeria—pushing African-led innovation to the forefront of global health science.
These tech leaders are not just participating in global conversations—they are leading them. Their ventures reflect a broader trend: Nigerian-led tech designed to solve African problems, with built-in global scalability. From mobile payments to healthtech and edtech, these founders are creating systems that serve their communities and inspire international admiration.
Food: Culinary Roots, Global Palates
Nigerian cuisine is having its global moment. Food storytellers like Chef Iquo Ukoh of 1Q Food Platter and entrepreneurs like Tolani Osikoya of Diary of a Kitchen Lover are showcasing the richness and diversity of Nigerian food beyond jollof rice. Through blogs, cookbooks, pop-up dinners, and culinary events, they highlight dishes like ofada, nsala, miyan kuka, and banga—educating and enticing a global audience.
Hilda Baci, a Guinness World Record holder for the longest cooking marathon, is known for blending culinary excellence with stunning visual storytelling. She is redefining what it means to be a food entrepreneur. Her work appears in high-end publications and collaborations, and her aesthetic is clean, modern, and deeply Nigerian.
From supper clubs in London to street food pop-ups in Toronto, Nigerian food is being reimagined and reintroduced with style.
Art, Education & Media: The Nigerian Lens Goes Global
Multidisciplinary artists like Niyi Okeowo and filmmakers like Dafe Oboro are proving that visual storytelling has no borders. With exhibitions in Europe and commissions from global brands like Nike and Off-White, they bring a uniquely Nigerian aesthetic to the global canvas. Their work isn’t just art—it’s cultural memory, fashion, and politics fused with striking visuals.
Dotun Popoola, known for his monumental metal sculptures crafted from discarded materials, bridges sustainability and fine art. His vibrant, animal-inspired pieces transform scrap into sculpture—symbols of innovation, regeneration, and Afrocentric pride.
Popoola’s work has graced exhibitions in Nigeria and abroad, standing tall—literally and metaphorically—as a new expression of African ingenuity.
In literature and media, names like Tomi Adeyemi and Chigozie Obioma are redefining contemporary African literature, while digital platforms like Zikoko and Culture Custodian are shaping the voice of a new, hyper-informed youth culture.
And in education and social impact, Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, is turning checkmates into second chances. From underprivileged communities in Lagos to the global stage, his movement has used chess as a tool for empowerment, education, and social mobility. In 2024, Tunde set a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, shining international light on the power of youth-led, grassroots innovation from Nigeria.
Design & Cultural Innovation: Heritage Reimagined
Myles Igwebuike is a Nigerian-American designer and founder of Njiko, a think tank using design to reimagine heritage and cultural memory. His work spans Enugu and London, blending indigenous knowledge with speculative thinking to explore identity, space, and storytelling. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, he has contributed to the Sharjah Architecture Triennial and advises the UK’s Design Council. In 2024, Architectural Digest named him an AD100 Rising Star, and he’s set to curate the Nigerian Pavilion at the 2025 London Design Biennale.
The Bigger Picture
What unites these voices is not just their success, but their intention. They are building with purpose, challenging stereotypes, creating employment, promoting sustainability, and above all, celebrating Nigerian identity. “Homegrown and Global” is no longer a contradiction—it is the new standard.
From Lagos to London, Abuja to Atlanta, these creatives are proving that Nigeria doesn’t just have something to say—it has something the world needs to hear, see, wear, use, and taste. They are the blueprint for a generation rising.
This is Nigerian excellence. Bold, rooted, and boundless.
