Engr. Chinedu Onyeizu has hailed the Aba Fashion Week as a beacon of creative excellence, describing the event as a powerful affirmation of Aba’s enduring reputation as Nigeria’s capital of craftsmanship, creativity, and enterprise.

Onyeizu said the fashion week has once again demonstrated that Aba’s creative industry is not only alive, but rapidly evolving into a globally-competitive force. He noted that the platform has provided designers, models, artisans, and fashion entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase homegrown innovation to a wider national and international audience.

Commending the vision of the organisers, led by the convener, Ugomdi Ogbonna, Onyeizu described Aba Fashion Week as “proudly Aba” in both spirit and execution. He praised the thoughtful conceptualisation of the event, adding that it reflects the resilience, originality, and business acumen that define the Aba man.

Onyeizu further linked the growing success of the fashion business in Aba to the ongoing transformation of Abia State by Governor Alex Otti. While talking about the ongoing remodeling of Ekeoha-Aba Shopping Centre, Onyeizu stated that when completed, the modernised Ekeoha-Aba will position Aba as the hub of the textile market in Africa, providing world-class infrastructure for the production, distribution, and export of textile and fashion products. He stated that the development will not only strengthen the local fashion ecosystem, but also attract investors, buyers, and international brands to the city.

“The rebirth of Ekeoha-Aba will be a game-changer for the entire African textile value chain. It will boost the fashion industry, create thousands of jobs, and firmly establish Aba as a continental centre for textile trade and innovation,” he said.

The energy expert and development advocate also stressed that the creative sector remains a critical driver of economic growth and youth employment. He urged government, the private sector, and development partners to intensify their support for initiatives like Aba Fashion Week, noting that sustainable partnerships and consistent investment are key to unlocking the full potential of Aba’s creative economy.

He encouraged the organisers not to relent, describing Aba Fashion Week as a strategic platform for talent discovery, brand development, cultural promotion, and economic expansion.

Aba Fashion Week continues to gain national attention as one of the fastest-growing creative platforms in the South-East, spotlighting the city’s rich tradition of craftsmanship while projecting a bold future shaped by innovation, enterprise, and global relevance.