Akinleye Akeem: Making Authentic Thrift Fashion Accessible to Nigerians

Akinleye Akeem, a young Nigerian entrepreneur from Ogun State, is building a name for himself in the country’s thriving thrift fashion market. A graduate of Public Administration from the University of Lagos Distance Learning Institute, Akeem is the founder of Retropreowned Merchandise (popularly known as Retrowears).

Retrowears specializes in authentic thrift fashion, offering a wide range of products including sneakers, bags, and trendy clothing for adults who want to look stylish without spending too much. Akeem says what makes his brand stand out is its commitment to selling genuine, high-quality pieces at affordable prices.

But like many business owners in Nigeria, he faces challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is sourcing consistent “grade A” thrift items. Suppliers, he explains, sometimes mix premium-quality wears with lower-grade pieces, and there is often no return policy or guarantee on purchases. Despite these difficulties, he has kept his business running through persistence and by focusing on building trust with his customers.

For Akeem, honesty and integrity are the pillars of his brand. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in the thrift fashion business is simple but powerful: “Be consistent, be honest, and most importantly, prioritize integrity over money.”

With a growing customer base of Nigerians who love fashion and want to stay trendy at a lower cost, Retrowears is positioning itself as a reliable source of authentic thrift fashion in the country.