Designers Dazzle At 5th Benue Men Fashion Week As Alia Supports MFWB With N20m

MAKURDI: The 5th Edition of Men Fashion Week Benue (MFWB) has attracted arrays of designers within and outside Benue State, presenting dazzling styles to the admiration of fashion buffs who thronged the Dream Event Center, Makurdi, venue of the event.

The Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, who made a surprised appearance at the show also supported the MFWB, with the sum of N20 million.

We observed that the MFWB which began in 2020, has gradually become a distinct landscape for top and upcoming fashion designers not only from Benue and the Middle Belt, region, but also from the Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt axis.

The founder and Creative Director of MFWB, Mshelia Jamal Jamilu, said the event has grown steadily in influence, shaping careers and expanding creative visibility for designers and models in Benue State and beyond.

Jamal, who has become a leading figure in Benue’s creative sector, addressed guests briefly, but said he preferred to “let the runway do the talking,” and did.

One of the standout stories of the night came from an unexpected source: a young commercial motorcycle rider discovered by the MFWB scouting team.

After receiving grooming and training, he made his debut on the runway with poise, drawing loud applause and symbolising the platform’s commitment to discovering and nurturing new talents. His transformation captured the core of Jamal’s mission, which is to expand access to creative opportunities regardless of background.

The atmosphere was further energised by performances from prominent Benue-born musicians including Rapizo, George Milla, Slim Birdie, GYVV and President EMS. The hall was filled with designers, fashion enthusiasts, industry stakeholders and supporters of the arts, reflecting MFWB’s growing cultural relevance.

Among the attendees of the event was Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, who surprised guests by taking a turn on the runway. His warm engagement and confident walk added a memorable dimension to the evening.

His confidence reflected the evolution of a project that began as a modest initiative and now attracts designers from Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and various parts of the state. Although an expected guest designer from Ghana missed the show due to travel delays, the runway presentations remained dynamic and expressive of contemporary African fashion.

Governor Alia, speaking after the runway presentation, expressed genuine admiration for the quality and ambition of the showcase, saying he was pleasantly surprised by the level of creativity emerging from what he fondly referred to as “my small Benue”.

He commended the organisers for giving young creatives a platform to be seen. He also announced a support package of N20 million to MFWB, a gesture that drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Earlier in the year, the Governor had met with several creative industry leaders, including the MFWB team, to strengthen collaboration around cultural programming in the state. Men Fashion Week Benue is now one of the notable platforms emerging from these ongoing conversations.

At the centre of this progress is Jamal, whose leadership, consistency and creative vision continue to elevate Benue’s presence within Nigeria’s fashion ecosystem.

For Jamal, MFWB represents more than a fashion event. It is a pathway for discovery, empowerment and cultural pride.

As this year’s edition demonstrated, the platform thrives when the community, the creatives and the state work together with a shared commitment to nurturing talent and expanding opportunity.