Ecobank Nigeria has announced plans to host the Ecobank Design and Build Exhibition 2025, with celebrated architect Arc. Christian Benimana and renowned urban planning scholar Prof. Taibat Lawanson headlining the event.
The exhibition is scheduled to hold from September 24 to 28, 2025, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Benimana, co-founder of the African Design Centre and principal at MASS Design Group, is internationally recognized for advancing socially responsive and sustainable African architecture. He will deliver a keynote address titled “Designing the Future” on the third day of the exhibition.
Prof. Lawanson, Leverhulme Professor of Planning and Heritage at the University of Liverpool, will lead a session on “Designing Better Cities and Homes in Nigeria” on Day 2. She is widely respected for her research on African urban informality, housing, and spatial justice.
Other knowledge exchange sessions at the event will include:
* “International vs. Local: The Sourcing Question for Interior Design” featuring Patrick Koshoni, Tola Akerele, Aishat Lawal, and Adeyemo Shokunbi.
* “Women in Design & Architecture” with Jacqueline Aki, Safiya Yahaya, Nwamaka Okoye, and Sandra Edoho.
* Future-focused conversations with Malik Afegbua, Remi Dada, Adewunmi Adegbola, and Omon Anenih on design, technology, wellness, and sustainability.
Speaking ahead of the exhibition, Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs at Ecobank Nigeria, said the sessions would deliver “practical insights and fresh perspectives that can shape the future of design, construction, and architecture across Africa.”
The event also reflects Ecobank’s broader commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and empowering small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). Through initiatives such as the Adire Lagos Experience, +234 Art Fair, Ecobank National Schools Team Chess Championship, and Oja Oge 2025, the bank continues to promote financial inclusion while creating platforms that connect local businesses with global opportunities.
As one of the flagship events in Ecobank’s calendar, the Design and Build Exhibition 2025 is expected to draw industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts across Africa.