Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu swapped the office for the catwalk on Saturday night, October 31, 2026, when he walked the runway for Nigerian menswear designer Ugo Monye at Lagos Fashion Week. The surprise moment drew loud cheers inside the venue, and clips of the governor strutting alongside professional models have since gone viral across Nigerian social media.
Sanwo-Olu later shared the footage himself, joking that he was a “full-time Governor, full-time public servant, and for one night, part-time model.”
Watch the Video
Here is the clip Governor Sanwo-Olu shared on Instagram after his runway walk:
Sanwo-Olu Steals the Show at Lagos Fashion Week 2026
The governor’s appearance came on the final evening of the main runway shows, held at the LagosFW tents at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He walked in a piece from Ugo Monye’s collection, joining the models as the audience slowly realised who was on the runway. After the show, Sanwo-Olu joined the designer on the runway, where the two shook hands and walked out together.
Ugo Monye presented in Saturday’s closing showcase alongside fellow designers Fruché and Ejiro Amos Tafiri.
What the Governor Said
In his posts on social media after the event, Sanwo-Olu said he had “stepped away from the usual business of governance to walk the runway” for Ugo Monye.
“I had a great time on the runway at Lagos Fashion Week,” he wrote. He added that “Lagos continues to grow as a home for fashion, creativity and culture,” and that he is proud of creatives who “continue to push boundaries and put Lagos firmly on the global fashion stage.”
In another line that fans quickly picked up, he wrote: “This is Lagos. We move differently.”
Quick Facts
- Who: Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
- What: Walked the runway for menswear designer Ugo Monye
- When: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Where: LagosFW tents, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos
- Event: Lagos Fashion Week 2026 (October 28 – November 1)
- Theme: “CRAFTED: Heritage. Innovation. Circular Futures.”
- History: His second documented runway walk at the event, after his 2023 debut
Celebrities and Fans React
The video quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of this year’s fashion week, with celebrities joining fans in the comments.
Nollywood star Funke Akindele kept it short, simply writing “Dope.” Media personality Do2dtun praised the governor’s support for the creative sector, saying: “He supported the entertainment industry fully. I won’t take that away from him.”
Other fans were more playful. One user, @obaksolo, joked: “Oshey, this one na Side HUSTLE o.” Jubril A. Gawat, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, also shared a clip on X with the caption “AGBA MODEL.”
Not His First Time on the Runway
This is not the first time Sanwo-Olu has surprised fashion lovers. He made his runway debut at Lagos Fashion Week in October 2023, when he closed designer Emmy Kasbit’s show wearing a light-blue patterned blazer, a dark T-shirt and blue trousers.
At the time, he described creativity as “an economic force” and said the creative sector could contribute more to Nigeria’s economy and create jobs. He also pledged continued government support for the industry.
In 2025, the governor hosted designers and creatives at Lagos House, Marina, and joined American singer Ciara at a closing-gong ceremony at the Nigerian Exchange during the fashion week.
Who Is Ugo Monye?
Ugo Monye is one of Nigeria’s best-known menswear labels. The brand started in 2009, first serving both men and women, before shifting its focus to menswear.
The label has shown at Lagos Fashion Week several times, including in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. According to Premium Times, Monye also designed outfits for Davido’s wedding, while TVC News reports that the singer walked for the label in 2024.
About Lagos Fashion Week 2026
Lagos Fashion Week was founded in 2011 by Omoyemi Akerele. It has grown into one of Africa’s biggest fashion platforms, connecting Nigerian and African designers with buyers, retailers, investors and the media.
The 2026 edition ran from October 28 to November 1 and featured more than 60 designers from across Africa. Fashion events are also heating up across the region, with Ghana’s Glitz Africa Fashion Week 2026 coming up in Accra this month.
Final Word
Whether fans saw it as a fun side hustle or a strong show of support for Nigeria’s creative economy, Sanwo-Olu’s runway moment has made him one of the biggest talking points of Lagos Fashion Week 2026. For Ugo Monye, it was a closing-night surprise that put the brand right at the centre of the conversation.
Source: Premium Times
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