On November 29, 2024, the elegant amphitheater at Olaniwun Ajayi’s Banana Island office came alive with energy and ideas. The occasion? Nubianette Creators Corner, a groundbreaking forum dedicated to tackling the unique challenges facing the African fashion industry, particularly the often-overlooked realm of intellectual property (IP) enforcement. The space, abuzz with the chatter of lawyers, creatives, and fashion enthusiasts, set the perfect stage for the conversations to follow.
As the convener of this event, I was humbled and inspired to witness the room fill with such brilliant minds, each ready to contribute to an evolving dialogue about the future of African fashion. From Busola Bakinson’s illuminating keynote address down to the passionate insights from our panelists, this event underscored a pressing need for collaboration, learning, and growth. Moments like these remind me why I do what I do: to connect ideas, industries, and people for impactful work, Setting the Stage for Change.
Busola Bakinson, IP Team Lead at Olaniwun Ajayi, set the tone for the day with her keynote: “How to Navigate the Challenges of Intellectual Property Enforcement for Fashion Businesses in Africa.”She very eloquently highlighted how legal blind spots make the majority of fashion brands so vulnerable to theft and exploitation-a fact many people nodded in agreement with.
But the tenor changed drastically during the first panel discussion.
Renowned designer Ejiro Amos Tafiri took the floor with a heated critique: “Nigeria is the only country I’ve traveled to where copying designs is normalized! ”Her frustration was palpable as she recounted instances of aspiring designers and tailors producing low-quality imitations of designers work instead of seeking proper training. “The resources are there,” she stressed, but too many people skip the hard work, diluting the industry’s reputation.
Her sentiments resonated very well. The panelists- Ibukunoluwa M. Adebara, Mally Mbamalu, and Hibbatun-Nasser Shobambi-, rallied around the idea of better protection for African creativity on the globe. They outlined some real things designers can do to safeguard their works, from trademark registration through international IP frameworks.
The second panel was meant for turning ideas into valuable assets, as debated by speakers such as Blessing Ebere Achu from 360 Creative Hub and Bernice Asein from Cardinal Partners. They plunged straight into the business aspect, emphasizing strongly how intellectual property should be regarded as part of a business’s overall asset inventory. “African fashion is full of great opportunity,” Bernice enthused, but we really have to consider our designs to be investments rather than just pieces of artistry.
The discussion turned to consumers, whose buying behavior often perpetuates bad practice. Educating buyers to invest in original, well-made design was identified as key towards accountability at all levels.
This wasn’t just a one-off event. At Nubianette, we’re committed to ensuring these conversations have tangible outcomes. Quarterly forums, white papers, and actionable insights are part of our plan to drive change in the fashion ecosystem. Our mission is simple: to create a culture where ethical practices and originality thrive.
As we drew the day to a close, I couldn’t help but feel hopeful. Together, we can build an industry where African fashion is celebrated globally for its originality, craftsmanship, and integrity.
Here’s to the next Creators Corner, and to a future that’s bold, ethical, and unapologetically African.
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