By Lucas Ajanaku The Nation
An expert has appealed to the Federal Government to grant or tax incentives to the design-led business as well as investing in creative hubs and innovation centres.
Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Chauntelles Home Ideas, Dr. Omeba Ejiogu, who made the appeal during the 2025 World Interiors Day, which had 鈥淒esigning with Emotion; Building with Intelligence,鈥 as theme, in Ikoyi Lagos, the gesture will enable the interior design industry to continue to contribute to the growth of the nation鈥檚 economy and remain a key contributor to the creative economy.
Dr. Ejiogu who is also the assistant secretary general of Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) said: 鈥淭he government can play a transformative role by recognizing interior design as a key contributor to the creative economy.
鈥淭his can be done by offering grants or tax incentives to design-led businesses, investing in creative hubs and innovation centers, and ensuring local content is prioritized in public infrastructure projects. Establishing policy support for design education and mandating professional engagement in urban and residential developments will also go a long way in strengthening the sector.鈥
Addressing some of the challenges confronting the sector and how practitioners are navigating them, she said: 鈥淭he Nigerian interior design industry faces several challenges, including a lack of formal regulatory frameworks, limited access to funding for creative businesses, and the undervaluation of design professionals.
鈥淚DAN is actively working to change this by advocating for industry standards, promoting continuing education, and creating networking platforms for professionals. As Assistant Secretary General of IDAN, I鈥檝e been involved in efforts to expand IDAN鈥檚 presence, especially in underserved regions like Southsouth Nigeria, to ensure inclusivity and visibility for more designers,鈥 Dr. Ejiogu added.
READ ALSO: Umar unveils 38 鈥榰nsung June 12 heroes鈥 in military
Analyzing the worth of the interior design industry in Nigeria, she said: 鈥淣igeria鈥檚 interior design industry holds massive untapped potential and is arguably one of the most vibrant in Africa, thanks to its large population, booming real estate, and a growing appreciation for design-led living.
鈥淪outh Africa and Morocco have more established ecosystems; Nigeria is quickly catching up, especially with the rise of Afrocentric design narratives and local manufacturing. With the right investment and institutional support, Nigeria can become a continental hub for interior innovation, creativity, and exportable design talent.鈥
Highlighting some of the innovations that set Chauntelles Home Ideas apart, she said the company is a leading interior design and lifestyle brand based in Nigeria, founded over 12 years ago with a clear mission to transform lives through thoughtful design.
鈥淲hat truly set us apart is our deep-rooted commitment to Afrocentric innovation鈥攎erging cultural identity with modern aesthetics. We鈥檙e not just designing beautiful spaces; we鈥檙e telling African stories through every project.
鈥淲ith over 800 satisfied clients, we鈥檝e maintained a reputation for excellence by prioritizing creativity, functionality, and a client-centric approach. We also actively mentor emerging designers, contributing to the long-term growth of the industry,鈥 she explained.
On some of the outstanding works the company has done, Dr. Ejiogu said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e delivered numerous standout projects across residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. One of our signature achievements is the development of bestselling furniture collections, with over 100 unique pieces that celebrate African form and function.
鈥淥ur work at the Make in Nigeria Product Exhibition earned us the 鈥淢ost Attractive Booth鈥 award鈥攁 testament to our ability to blend innovation with cultural appeal. We鈥檝e also redesigned workspaces and homes that were later featured in local media and design exhibitions, reinforcing our thought leadership in the space.鈥