From 23 to 28 October 2025, Lagos will once again transform into a stage for Africa’s most influential voices in design. Design Week Lagos, Nigeria’s largest and most successful independent design platform, returns with a bold theme: Made in Africa: Shaping Industries, Shaping Futures.
More than just a week of events, it is the celebration of architecture, interiors, furniture, product and industrial design, technology, and new talent. The program is dedicated to honoring individuals and teams who are redefining the African design narrative, while positioning creativity as a driver of economic growth, innovation, and social progress. The annual awards ceremony, which doubles as a fundraiser for the forthcoming Design Museum Lagos, underscores the long-term vision of building institutions that preserve, promote, and propel African design.
Made by Design: Nigeria’s Interior and Furniture Industry Unveiled
The week’s flagship exhibition, Made by Design, has become a touchstone for Nigeria’s furniture and interior industry. Curated with intention, the exhibition brings together an exceptional range of brands under one roof, from bespoke cabinetry and lighting to wall finishes, flooring, and premium furniture.
The 2025 theme, Design Now: Nigeria’s Interior and Furniture Industry Unveiled, captures the country’s dynamic spirit. It is a showcase of bold Nigerian talent, standing alongside established international brands, revealing how heritage and innovation are shaping modern living. More than a trade show, Made by Design is a celebration of creativity and craftsmanship that continues to redefine interiors for a new generation.
Design and Innovation Exhibition: Building a Made in Nigeria Brand
Launched in 2019, the Design and Innovation Exhibition has quickly established itself as a launchpad for groundbreaking ideas. It celebrates the merging of technical mastery with creative exploration, bridging concept and industry while connecting designers with materials, manufacturers, and markets.
This year’s focus—Building a Made in Nigeria Brand—goes to the heart of local production. From raw materials to refined outputs, it asks what it truly means to design and make with identity, intention, and excellence in a Nigerian context. The exhibition amplifies the country’s potential as a global design player while strengthening collaboration across the ecosystem.
IDEA Awards: Recognizing African Design Leadership
Formerly the Interior Design Excellence Awards, the Innovation Design Excellence Awards (IDEA Awards) remain Nigeria’s most respected independent design recognition program. Since 2012, they have celebrated outstanding achievements across interior design, furniture, architecture, product innovation, urban planning, industrial design, and technology.
The IDEA Awards are more than a recognition—they are a statement of belief in the power of good design to advance economies and inspire change. They also serve as a fundraising platform for the Design and Innovation Fund, with proceeds supporting the future Design and Innovation Museum.
Design Week Lagos is an evolving story of African creativity. By placing design at the intersection of culture, industry, and innovation, the program highlights how Nigerian and African designers are shaping industries and futures with ideas that resonate far beyond the continent.
Photos courtesy of Design Week Lagos.
