The Convener of Fashion Fables Runway Africa (FFRA), Obinna Temple Obi, has called for greater inclusivity in the fashion industry, urging stakeholders to create opportunities for people with disabilities and individuals facing health challenges to participate in runway modelling.
Obi said FFRA provides a platform for promoting diversity and showcasing African creativity by bringing together designers and models from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire and other African countries in Abuja.
He said “the initiative seeks to challenge stereotypes about beauty and demonstrate that physical disabilities or health conditions should not prevent people from pursuing opportunities in fashion.”
Obi recalled that the previous edition featured Tobechi Achionye (Kind Tobi ) an autistic model based in California, United States, whose mother is Nigerian. According to him, the initiative reflects the event’s commitment to expanding representation and creating opportunities for people who are often underrepresented in the fashion industry.
Obi said; “this year’s edition would feature a model undergoing cancer treatment and a female amputee model, reinforcing the event’s focus on inclusion. He added that sustainability was another major priority, with designers encouraged to adopt green initiatives, recycling and upcycling by transforming discarded materials into creative fashion products.”
The event, themed “Rebirth of the Ancestors”, is scheduled to hold on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at The Blanc in the Central Business District, Abuja.
The Initiative aims to strengthen African fashion by combining cultural expression, environmental responsibility and equal opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds.
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