Philanthropist Pledges To Showcase Nigerian Culture Globally

Founder of House of Sota and the Black History and Lifestyle Awards (BHLA), Folashade Balogun, has reaffirmed her commitment to promoting Nigerian culture and fashion on the global stage as her fashion brand marks its 10th anniversary.

At a press conference ahead of the anniversary celebration and the unveiling of a decade-long partnership with Rolling Stone Africa, Balogun described the milestone as both exciting and fulfilling, noting that the journey has been driven by her passion for promoting Made-in-Nigeria products, particularly adire fashion.

According to her, House of Sota has spent the last decade projecting Nigerian culture through fashion while encouraging Nigerians to embrace indigenous brands.

“I believe so much in Nigeria, and I believe “adire” can be worn to corporate places, offices, and even parties. This is me contributing my own quota to my country,” she said.

Balogun acknowledged the challenges facing the fashion industry, particularly in importation and customs processes, but maintained that opportunities for Nigerian brands continue to expand, especially among Africans in the diaspora who proudly patronise locally made products.

She urged Nigerians to invest more in indigenous brands and accord local fashion labels the same level of support often given to foreign brands.

“As Nigerians, this is the right time for us to invest in wearing our own brands and proudly showcase Made-in-Nigeria products to the world,” she added.

The anniversary celebration also coincides with a strategic partnership involving BHLA, House of Sota and Rolling Stone Africa, aimed at amplifying African stories, culture and creativity across global audiences.

Similarly, CEO of Rolling Stone Africa, David Romuald Bellegarde-Smeralda, described the platform’s expansion into Nigeria as a significant step toward promoting African talent in music, sports, fashion and film.

“Now is the time for Africa. Media plays a big role in creating opportunities for people, and we want to amplify the stories and talents coming from the continent,” he said.

Bellegarde-Smeralda noted that Nigeria’s influence in entertainment, fashion and culture makes it one of Africa’s most important creative markets, adding that House of Sota and BHLA have played vital roles in strengthening cultural connections between Africa and the diaspora.

Also, the editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone Africa, Gwen Madiba, explained that the partnership would feature a “Culture on Culture Week,” a cultural exchange initiative designed to reconnect Afro-descendants with their African heritage.

Madiba said the collaboration is anchored on shared values of celebrating African heritage, empowering creatives and supporting young people through impactful initiatives.

The event, themed “Culture as an Economic Currency,” will explore the economic potential of African culture across sectors, including fashion, food, technology, artificial intelligence and the broader creative industry.