Brand Positions Local Interior Designs for Global Relevance

By Omolabake Fasogbon

Interior designers across the country have been tasked to fully integrate locally-sourced raw materials into their craft as a way to promote Nigeria’s ingenuity and develop local economy. 

The Chief Executive Officer of Design Tactics Interiors, Aisha Yusuf Ishaku, reiterated this during the launch of a Lagos-based Jowel’s Place, a creative studio designed for photography and content creation, at the same time implored Nigerians to prioritise local finished goods to encourage producers. 

Ishaku, boasted about the skillfulness of Nigeria’s artisans and richness of the country’s resources, noting, however that Nigerians’ apathy to their own continues to stifle sector’s progress.

“Nigerians are still largely driven by the craze for imported goods, and very much consider local produce as inferior, however, this does not turn out to be true. As a manufacturer who used to rely on foreign materials, I can tell boldly that local material is unrivalled in terms of strength, quality and durability,” she informed. 

She thus cried out to governments across the three tiers to encourage local producers by patronising Nigeria’s own and create market for entrepreneurs to stimulate activities in the sector. 

She disclosed that her latest venture, Jowel’s Place was inspired by a need to further spotlight local creative ingenuity and potential. 

“This is a dream come true for me, not just because it’s one of my pet projects, but because it represents the realisation of our vision to create a platform where creators can collaborate and paint a picture of the future of media and story-telling.

“We are proud to say that everything used in this hub is made in Nigeria at our factory, and we are grateful to God for bringing us this far. We’re excited to see the impact this will have on our community and the future of Nigerian creativity.”

Also present at the launch, Executive Director at Sultana Nabilah’s Cerebral Palsy Foundation (SNCPF), Raliat Ibrahim Oyetunde, highlighted the need for consistent government policies and a more robust measures to stabilise business environment. 

“Maintaining the import ban on furniture will give local interior decorators a chance to thrive and grow, “she stated. 

President of Interiors Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN), Mrs. Jacqueline Aki, commended Ishaku on her new venture, tasking designers to think globally to unlock opportunities and improve the sector.