American singer and fashion icon Ciara has expressed excitement over the remarkable transformation she noticed in Lagos as she arrived to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the 2025 Lagos Fashion Week.
In a video shared online on Thursday, the Level Up hitmaker, who was warmly received by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said she was thrilled to be back and impressed by the city’s visible improvements.
“I’m so happy to be here, I’m really excited. It’s not my first time in Lagos, I’ve been here a few times so I know about Lagos,” Ciara said.
“I love Lagos. But you know what? Lagos, from what I’ve seen, it’s like an evolution of Lagos. So when I used to land, I would see all the dirty roads, now it’s pavement.”
The Grammy-winning artist, who turned 40 on October 25, is expected to participate in several fashion showcases during the event.
This year’s Lagos Fashion Week, which kicked off on October 29 and will run until November 2, is being held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island. Founded by Omoyemi Akerele in 2011, the platform has grown into one of Africa’s most influential fashion events, spotlighting designers who merge creativity with sustainability.
The 2025 edition has also been recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Earthshot Prize in the “Build a Waste-Free World” category — an acknowledgment of its efforts to promote eco-friendly and responsible fashion practices.
Ciara’s last visit to Nigeria was in 2016, when she performed at Darey Art Alade’s “Love Like A Movie” concert in Lagos. Her return marks a new chapter of collaboration between global entertainment and Africa’s evolving fashion industry.
