The history of embroidered textiles fondly called Lace in Nigeria dates back to the early 1960s. Prior to that, embroideries were used by women in Nigeria for white blouses that they wore with wraparound skirts of locally woven fabrics. These textiles were imported by British, German, Dutch, Lebanese, or Indian trading houses in coastal cities and sold through retailers across the country. The reverse seems to be the case now as Laces now come in eye-catching colors which attract mainly women of style and elegance.
The history of fabric business in Nigeria is not complete without mentioning first Austrian lace pioneers who sought personal contact with textile traders along Kosoko Street on Lagos Island, which was at the time the centre of the textile market. With this important step, they succeeded in eliminating intermediaries and rapidly boosting direct trade and thereby broadening the market which later gave birth to other markets in Lagos Island where lace is sold.
One of the first fabric sellers who declared the lace market business opened in Lagos Island was Chief Modupe Asabi Obebe from Abeokuta, the Iyaloja of Egbaland, also called Mama Tutu. The cousin of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, she was a wealthy trader on Kosoko Street on Lagos Island and owner of Ebun Oluwa Stores. She was quickly identified by the Lustenau embroiderers as the perfect, financially strong business associate. She vigorously defended her position as a market leader against the competition.
Another major importer in Lagos, Chief Temitenjo Mercy Owolana, the Iyaloja of Remo, started importing embroideries in about 1970. She did this through London, where she also unknowingly purchased Austrian goods and took them to Nigeria which was sold in Lagos Island.
One popular market which has been known for selling of lace since inception till date is “Idumota market. It is a market known for selling of lace fabrics From the 1960s.‘Gutter’ assumed wide fame when lace-selling madams opened big shops there, making huge sales and becoming the toast of musicians on whom they splashed wads of naira notes. Names like Jarin Seriki and Haja Suraka, for whom juju musician Sunny Ade and his fuji music counterpart Wasiu Ayinde Marshall respectively waxed albums, still ring bells in the Lagos Island lace market.
Another fabric market in Lagos Island is Balogun market. That is one of the longest fabric markets in Lagos Island which has many rich fabric sellers dealing in all sorts of rich fabrics. One of those who rule that market is Alhaja Kuburat Sokunbi, the CEO of Kubis store. She has been selling fabrics for over 35years and still counting.
What about the popular Lace market called “Saudi Eko“ or Lagoon Market? It is a shopping complex which houses over 200shops in Lagos Island. It has been in existence for over 15years. Over 70percent of the shop owners in that market are fabric sellers. Alhaja Fashina, Alhaja Fatima Opere, Alhaja Bolaji Ogunsanya among many others are the ones ruling that market.
Have we gisted you about “Folawiyo“ fabric market? One of the pioneers of that market is Fuji king Mum, Alhaja Alimot Shadia Anifowose. This market is just few kilometres away from Moshalasi Jimoh (Saudi Eko or Lagoon Market). This market parades many A-list fabric merchants who have been ruling the market for over 30years.
Ask those who wear rich fabrics to parties and you will be told they bought it from popular John Street in Lagos Island. That street boasts of pioneer members of fabric business like Alhaji Mosun Masha( Mandm fabrics), Alhaja Iyabo Doala, Alhaja Idera Titilayo to mention few.
Do you know that street that lead straight out of John Street? That is the popular Ereko Fabric market in Lagos Island. That market housed many leading fabric sellers of note like Mofals fabrics (Alhaja Femi Suleiman), Alhaja Yetunde Idris( Yemtuns), Alhaja Kudirat Danole(Kuditex), Bimdos among many others have their shops in that market.
This list is not complete without mentioning popular “Iso Panla“( Stockfish market). It also has top fabric merchants who display their wares for large customers.
– Abiola Orisile
