Designers Dazzle At 5th Benue Men Fashion Week As Governor Supports With N20m.
By Raymond Enoch
The 5th edition of Men Fashion Week Benue (MFWB) attracted an array of designers from within and outside Benue State, presenting dazzling styles to the admiration of fashion lovers who thronged the Dream Event Center in Makurdi on Thursday.
Launched in 2020, MFWB has steadily evolved into a distinctive platform for both established and emerging designers, not only from Benue and the Middle Belt, but also from major fashion hubs such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
The founder and Creative Director of MFWB, Mshelia Jamal Jamilu, noted that the event has grown in influence year after year, shaping careers and expanding visibility for designers and models in Benue State and beyond.
Jamal, now a leading figure in Benue’s creative sector, kept his remarks brief, stating that he preferred to “let the runway do the talking” — and it did.
One of the standout moments 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 runway debut with remarkable poise, drawing loud applause and symbolising the platform’s commitment to discovering and nurturing new talent. His transformation captured the core of Jamal’s mission: expanding access to creative opportunities regardless of background.
The atmosphere was further electrified 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, underscoring MFWB’s growing cultural relevance.
Among the attendees 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 presence and 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, inventive and expressive of contemporary African fashion.
Speaking after the runway presentation, Governor Alia expressed genuine admiration for the quality and ambition on display, 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 providing young creatives with a platform to be seen and 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 flagship 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 profile 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.
