Titi Ogufere and Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu launch a groundbreaking program to support designers in Nigeria through financing and mentorship.
Titi Ogufere and Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, two prominent figures in Nigeria’s design sector, have launched the Design Den initiative, a groundbreaking program aimed at transforming the design industry. This initiative brings together their expertise to support designers, makers, and manufacturers through financing, mentorship, and improved market access.
Ogufere, the founder of Design Week Lagos, and Hunponu-Wusu, the CEO of Woodhall Capital, officially unveiled this partnership during the opening of the 2025 Design Week Lagos at the Ecobank Pan African Centre located on Ozumba Mbadiwe in Victoria Island, Lagos. This event showcased an impressive array of talent from across Nigeria and Africa, featuring designers, manufacturers, and craftsmen presenting their unique and innovative creations.
Despite the wealth of creativity in Nigeria’s design landscape, many designers encounter significant hurdles, including limited access to financing and an inadequate infrastructure to support growth. The partnership between Design Week Lagos and Woodhall Capital aims to address these challenges. “Nigeria is rich in creativity, but many designers struggle to scale due to limited access to financing,” Ogufere stated. She emphasized that the collaboration is “a game-changer, providing structured funding and support” to those in the industry.
Hunponu-Wusu echoed these sentiments, expressing the importance of sustainable financing solutions for fostering innovation within the design community. “Creativity without funding is just a concept. Our initiative, Design Den, provides a platform for designers to access financing, mentorship, and market access,” she remarked. The program emphasizes the empowerment of designers, aiming to foster economic growth and job creation.
The Design Den initiative is noteworthy for being the first of its kind within Nigeria, dedicated to facilitating entrepreneurship and promoting sustainability specifically tailored to the design domain. Through this program, participants will receive training, mentorship, and financial support to help them navigate the complexities of the market and connect with potential customers, investors, and partners.
As a key aspect of their goals, Ogufere and Hunponu-Wusu plan to leverage the strengths of both organizations to provide the necessary resources for emerging designers. “Our partnership with Woodhall Capital is a strategic move to provide designers with the necessary tools to succeed”, Ogufere noted. Meanwhile, Hunponu-Wusu underscored that the initiative aims not only to empower designers but also to drive significant economic impact within the industry.
The collaboration is emblematic of women’s leadership in business and highlights the importance of solidarity among women in creating lasting change. As the global community observes International Women’s Month, the success of Ogufere and Hunponu-Wusu showcases the role of women as catalysts for economic and social advancements.
The Design Den initiative, with its focus on sustainable financing and mentorship for designers, stands as a progressive model for the industry, paving the way for enhanced development efforts in Nigeria. As the design landscape evolves, this collaboration promises to cultivate a new generation of creators equipped with the tools to thrive. Observers will be keen to see how these efforts shape the future of design in Nigeria and beyond, as Ogufere and Hunponu-Wusu continue to lead the charge in empowering the design community and promoting sustainable development.
Source: Noah Wire Services
