Design Week Lagos showcase design, innovation, creativity | The Guardian Nigeria News

Africa’s premier design festival, Design Week Lagos (DWL), has revolutionised the continent with its showcase of design, innovation and creativity.

DWL, which kicked off on October 22, in Lekki, Lagos, featured keynote sessions, panel discussions, exhibitions, and workshops that brought together industry leaders, designers, and innovators to explore the intersection of design, economic growth, and social change.

Speaking on the role designs play in shaping Africa and Nigeria’s future, not just to redefine esthetics but to solve practical challenges in the areas of urban planning, technology and education, Founder, Design Week Lagos, Titi Ogufere, explained that the African continent is blessed with millions of creative talents that needs a visible platform for the world to see.

“Many of us are not aware of the kind of great talents that come from Africa that has been doing amazing things that many cannot connect to us. Africans, Nigerians are a creative race but because we did not understand the power pf education early enough, most of these creatives are struggling on their own. Design Week Lagos is a platform, a design showcase festival to connect these creative minds for a collaboration that can project these talents to the world.

“We want to tell our creatives that you do not have to wait to work as an architect alone. You can design other things that are needed in our environment. As an artist, you can design while a carpenter brings your design to live. Make those practical works that suit our environment,” she said.

HRH Olori Atuwatse III of Warri Kingdom and founder of Elevate AAfrica, in her speech stated that African designs is the next frontier which is happening already.
“What we need to do is to amplify what is already on ground, our cultural heritage and God given resources and project them to the world. We need space where we can showcase what our creatives can do to the world. We also need partnerships and collaborations to amplify what our creatives can do. These collaborations will help get these designers from stage one which is ideas to stage to where the idea becomes a reality and get to audience who demands for it,” she said.

Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, represented by Fegho John Umunubo, emphasised the significance of design in Nigeria’s economic evolution.
The Commissioner of Tourism, Lagos State, Mrs Toke Benson highlighted the importance of design in promoting tourism and economic growth.

Also present to witness the exhibition were, CEO of Nike Art Gallery, Nike Davies-Okundaye; Benedict Radcliffe, Dapo Akintunde, Prof Ayo Teriba, Olusegun Zaccheus, Architect James Brendan Udom and the Honourable Minister Hannatu Musawa, among others.

The event had series of inspiring discussions, keynote speeches, panel sessions, workshops, exhibitions and networking opportunities.