Founder of Cossly Wears, Ibrahim Akosile, says Nigeria’s fashion industry has grown rapidly, driven by young creatives, technology access, and global interest in African designs.
Akosile, who has spent over 13 years in the fashion business, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
He noted that the industry had moved from modest tailoring operations to a vibrant ecosystem capable of producing world-class designs.
“The industry is buzzing. There’s so much fresh talent and new ideas,” he said.
According to him, Nigerian designers now have better access to global tools, fabrics and accessories, enabling them to create products that can compete with international fashion brands.
“With easier access to global tools and accessories, Nigerian designers are no longer limited to local markets. We are creating world-class pieces that compete on any stage. It’s an exciting time to be a designer in Nigeria,” Akosile said.
He explained that his journey reflects the broader transformation within the industry.
Akosile said he started his fashion journey as a university student, operating a small side hustle – taking orders from customers and outsourcing sewing to tailors.
“After graduation, I moved my operations into a small workshop within my father’s house, gradually building the brand from a one-man operation into a structured fashion enterprise.
“What started as a one-man outsourcing hustle has matured into a state-of-the-art factory, a fabric retail arm and a specialised embroidery production unit. It wasn’t overnight; it was brick by brick,” he said.
The entrepreneur said one of the biggest early challenges he faced was maintaining quality control while relying on independent tailors.
He said this experience pushed him to develop his own production capacity and bring operations under one roof.
“In the beginning, my biggest headache was relying on outside tailors. I couldn’t control the quality or the timing, so I had to save up and build my own capacity,” he said.
Akosile noted that infrastructure challenges still hinder the industry’s full potential, particularly irregular electricity supply and poor logistics networks.
“If we had stable power and better roads for delivery, designers would spend more time being creative and less time solving basic operational problems,” he said.
He noted that despite these challenges, Nigerian fashion had gained increasing recognition across global markets due to its blend of traditional aesthetics and contemporary designs.
According to him, Cossly Wears has grown from producing bespoke kaftans to offering high-end suits, contemporary outfits and native wear that combine classic Nigerian styles with modern finishing.
Akosile said the brand’s production process emphasises strict quality control, with garments undergoing multiple checks from cutting to final finishing before delivery.
Looking ahead, he said the company aims to expand its ready-to-wear line and strengthen its manufacturing capacity while also supporting other fashion entrepreneurs through fabric supply and embroidery services.
“The future is global and digital. We are building a system that allows our ‘Made in Nigeria’ products to reach customers anywhere in the world,” he said.
Akosile expressed optimism that with improved infrastructure and sustained innovation, Nigerian fashion would continue to grow as a major force in the global creative industry.
