ABEOKUTA – A $1 billion dollars value chain fashion industry that will create hundreds of job opportunities will berth in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
This will enhance the rich cultural heritage of the Egba nation and promote its socioeconomic status beyond the shores of Africa.
The Osi Apagunpote of Egbaland and Creative Director, Egbaliganza, High Chief Lai Labode, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference to herald the 2025 Egbaliganza coming up in April 5.
Labode noted that the Egbaliganza is not just about fashion but also a movement and commitment to ensure that the tradition and culture do not fade away in the face of modernization.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s edition, “The Walkway of Kings,” Labode posited that Egbaliganza celebration was to document Egba history as the most fashionable people in Yorubaland.
According to him, the Egbaliganza fashion evolution would help Africa achieve 15% global fashion market to beat the current 1.2% fashion market rate, which rank $ 31billion dollars.
He emphasized that the Egbaliganza value chain fashion industry would inspire other parts of Yorubaland to embrace the new Africa dress sense.
He added that the fashion industry would encompass fashion designers, embroiders, and materials for the fashion designs that would be locally sourced.
“The creation of Egbaliganza itself is not just about fashion. There’s Egba modern art. And of course, we’re also connected to the very high moral standard for the Egba people, and of course, innovation.
“You see there’s some kind of connection along the line, and there are things that are very unique, that we think that we must preserve, but then we also think it’s important that the Egbas, the Yorubas are never restricted. If you see a man wearing a skirt, now, they are probably going to say they are from Itsekiri or Benin, No. That is restriction. Yoruba men wear skirts.
“This year’s theme is called the walkway of kings, where you’re going to see, first of all, the unity of the Egba people, and then you’re going to see great attires that have been created that connects the best of the past to the beauty of the present, and, of course, the greatness that is in the future of the Egba people.
“Now, you’re also going to be experiencing, quite a number of prominent Egbas who have decided that it is time for us to build a brand that we can take to the world. So when you hear Egbaliganza, don’t just think Abeokuta, think about Egbaland itself being able to go across the world.
“Now, we think that we can establish a $1 billion industry for Egbaland and Yorubaland fashion industry, and that requires quite a bit of work, and that is the work that we’ve actually started.
“So, you’re going to see quite a bit of creativity that continues, but more importantly, creating a $1 billion industry is achievable. I will tell you a story about where Africa is currently. Today, Africa only has 1.2% of the global fashion market. And that is just about $31 million, the entire Africa. Egbaliganza has decided to take the lead to help Africa achieve 10-15% in the global fashion market, and that is a journey we must all walk together.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Egbaliganza 2025, and the Abese of Egbaland, High Chief Yemi Lawal said the Egbas must instill the values of respect, diligence and unity.
He highlighted that Egbaliganza tends to preserve festivals, language, cuisine, and attires in Egbaland, noting that the unique ways of celebrating festivals in Egbaland made the Egbas proud people but not arrogant.
Lawal opined that the new Africa dress sense among the Egba people would inspire the younger generations from imbibing their culture and change their mode of dressing from the western way.
“Let us take a moment to reflect on the essence of our culture, let us reaffirm our commitment to promoting the beauty of our heritage, supporting the younger generation in embracing our tradition and ensuring that our culture remain relevant in contemporary times.”
Dignitaries at the colorful press conference held in Lagos include, the Akogun of Egbaland, Chief Adebayo Soyoye, Akinfiwatolu of Egbaland, Chief Abdu Mustapha, the Ofada boy, Tobi Fletcher, the Amona Barooyin of Egbaland, Chief Tajudeen Sodeinde among others.
