Mo’Afrique targets Nigeria’s mass fashion market with Modish launch in Abuja

In a bold pivot from bespoke elegance to industrial-scale fashion, Nigerian fashion house Mo’Afrique has unveiled a multi-million-naira garment factory in Abuja.

The company also commissioned a new mass-market brand, Modish Formals—signalling strategic move to capture Nigeria’s vast, underserved apparel segment.

Specifically, Modish Formals will focus on producing professional wear, uniforms, and related apparel.

Founder and Creative Director of Mo’Afrique, Omobolanle Olawole, speaking with newsmen, said the company also used the occasion to mark 10 years of operations.

Olawole stated that the expansion from bespoke tailoring into the mass market was driven by evolving customer needs and the existence of a large, untapped segment in Nigeria’s garment industry.

“This expansion is a direct response to market demand. Over the years, our corporate clients have required more than bespoke fashion—they need structured, high-quality garments that reflect their brand identity and can be delivered at scale. Modish is our answer to that need,” she said.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Jumoke Oduwole, who commissioned the facility, commended Mo’Afrique for boosting local manufacturing capacity.

She described the anniversary and factory launch as a “double celebration” that reflects both achievement and a new phase of growth, urging the company to extend its footprint beyond Nigeria.

“We expect you to have your garments across Africa and the rest of the world using the African Continental Free Trade Area. This is a pride for the ministry and the administration. This is what generates jobs, employment, and contributes to GDP,” she said.

Oduwole also encouraged the company to leverage opportunities under AfCFTA to scale exports, noting that the government remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs in overcoming business climate challenges.

Highlighting the company’s journey, she added that Mo’Afrique’s growth from a bedroom startup a decade ago to a full-scale manufacturing operation underscores the resilience of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

According to the minister, initiatives such as the factory will drive job creation, boost employment, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.

She described Modish as part of a broader solution to deepen the textile and clothing value chain, positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in global garment manufacturing.

She added that the facility represents more than a production hub, serving as a model for innovation, sustainability, and locally driven industrial growth.

“You Lack Power To Revoke My Certificate” — Kalu Tells Legal Education Council

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has challenged the Council of Legal Education (CLE), insisting that the body lacks the legal authority to revoke his Nigerian Law School qualifying certificate amid an ongoing investigation into allegations surrounding his academic records and NYSC participation.

The controversy followed a petition alleging inconsistencies in Kalu’s academic timeline, particularly claims that he combined the Nigerian Law School programme with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service. The CLE had directed him to respond to the allegations within seven days as part of its internal review process.

In a formal response through his lawyers dated April 28, 2026, and signed by Chukwuebuka S. Okeke of Olaniwun Ajayi LP Chambers, Kalu described the petition as “fundamentally deficient in law” and urged the council to dismiss it. His legal team insisted that no law prohibits simultaneous participation in the Nigerian Law School and NYSC programme.

Kalu’s lawyers also argued that the Council of Legal Education has no express statutory power to revoke or cancel a qualifying certificate once issued. They maintained that any disciplinary authority available to the council is limited and can only apply in cases involving proven criminal conduct or clear legal violations, none of which they said had been established.

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The legal team further referenced provisions of the Legal Education (Consolidation, etc.) Act, explaining that the CLE’s mandate is to oversee legal education and certify candidates who meet the requirements for admission to the Bar, but not to withdraw certificates retrospectively. They cited Section 5 of the Act, which outlines eligibility criteria for Law School graduates to be called to the Bar.

Despite Kalu’s objections, the Council of Legal Education has set up a three-member investigative panel to examine the petition and related allegations. In a letter dated April 21, 2026, the council instructed Kalu to submit a written response within seven days, citing allegations of perjury, false representation, and discrepancies in his NYSC and Law School records.

The CLE, however, has maintained silence publicly on the matter. A senior official confirmed that the petition was received and the process is being handled internally, declining to provide further details or confirm whether Kalu responded after the deadline.

Kalu’s legal team also dismissed reliance on an alleged declaration he reportedly signed during his academic period, which stated he would not participate in NYSC while in Law School. They argued that the document was unsworn and therefore carries no legal weight or enforceability.

They further maintained that no statute, regulation, or institutional guideline in force at the time prohibited simultaneous participation in the Nigerian Law School and NYSC programme. According to them, a review of the Nigerian Law School Student Handbook for the relevant academic session also revealed no such restriction.

Meanwhile, the Civil Society Groups of Good Governance (CSGGG) has filed a separate petition questioning the legality of combining Law School studies with NYSC service, arguing that law students are expected to fully dedicate themselves to professional training without parallel obligations.

The CLE’s investigative panel is expected to review all submissions before deciding on further action. For now, the dispute remains unresolved, with Kalu insisting his certificate is valid and cannot be revoked, while the council continues its internal inquiry.

“You Lack Power To Revoke My Certificate” — Kalu Tells Legal Education Council

Nigeria Clears 33 Ambassadors as 32 Await Host Country Approval

Nigeria has recorded fresh progress in its diplomatic postings as 33 out of the 65 ambassadorial nominees approved by President Bola Tinubu have now received agrément from their respective host countries, while 32 others are still awaiting clearance.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who disclosed that the number of cleared envoys has risen to 33 following continued diplomatic engagements with foreign missions.

“Thirty-three ambassadors have now secured agréments from host countries,” Ebienfa said.

Agrément is the formal diplomatic approval granted by a receiving country after vetting and accepting a nominated ambassador, allowing them to assume official duties in that country.

Ebienfa added that the newly cleared ambassadors will proceed to their assigned foreign missions after completing an ongoing induction programme, which began on Monday in Abuja and is scheduled to end on Wednesday.

“After the induction, those who have been accepted will proceed to their Missions,” he said.

The ministry had earlier reported that over 25 nominees had secured agrément as of April 17, showing gradual progress in the clearance process across Nigeria’s diplomatic partners.

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As part of preparations, the Federal Government began a formal induction programme for career and non-career ambassadors-designate to equip them for their roles in advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Abuja, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged the new envoys to project Nigeria positively while actively engaging the international community on issues affecting the country.

She acknowledged Nigeria’s domestic challenges, including insecurity, infrastructure gaps, and resource constraints, but stressed that diplomats must use their platforms to attract partnerships rather than obscure the realities at home.

“Locally, our nation faces genuine challenges of insecurity, resource mobilisation, and infrastructure development,” she said. “Your task is not to hide these realities but to secure international attention and partnership by amplifying the true picture that, despite these obstacles, this government’s commitment to resolving them remains unparalleled and consistent.”

Meanwhile, the list of 65 ambassadorial nominees submitted by the Presidency to the National Assembly in late 2025 marked Nigeria’s effort to fill long-standing vacancies in foreign missions worldwide.

The Senate screened the nominees in December, but delays in appointment left several embassies operating under chargés d’affaires, limiting high-level diplomatic engagement for months.

One of the nominees, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, Nigeria’s designated ambassador to Algeria, reportedly passed away on April 23, further complicating the final composition of the list.

Officials also acknowledged concerns that some nominees could face delays or rejection due to the extended gap between nomination and diplomatic processing, as some host countries require timely submission for agrément approval.

Since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has faced pressure to fully restore Nigeria’s ambassadorial presence abroad after a prolonged vacancy in key diplomatic postings.

The government says it is working to ensure that all remaining nominees secure approvals so that Nigeria’s foreign missions can operate at full capacity.

Nigeria Clears 33 Ambassadors as 32 Await Host Country Approval