One of man’s great pleasures and obsessions is developing a sense of class that is far beyond the ordinary. Some call it style. Others simply say it is individuality. Depending on the side of the divide you may choose to pitch, style is simply doing things your way. Style defines a man. It is a badge by which he or she is recognized. So, being stylish is purely being individualistic. Over the years, men have consciously cultivated dressing culture that tends to define their style. In the parade of Nigeria’s stylish men, KAYODE ALFRED x-rays Nigerians of various strata and standing who have carved a niche for themselves as men of style.
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN’S ‘Resource Control’
There have been Nigerian leaders, past and present who emerged, at one period or the other, and whose eras were largely defined by their dress culture. From the late Sir Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nnmamdi Azikiwe, former Presidents Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo to serving President Goodluck Jonathan, there was and there is still a consistency in their dress culture which reflected the geography of their birth.
However, with President Jonathan’s ascendancy to power he brought with him, wittingly or unwittingly, a tsunami-like ‘fashion-buzz in Nigeria called ‘Resource Control.’ In the history of Nigeria, never has a president’s dress culture captivated his subjects’ fancy like that of President Jonathan’s traditional Ijaw cultural attire. President Jonathan’s Niger-Delta attire with a bowler hat has become his trademark. While this dress code has drawn admiration from across board, the President can also be described as a marketer of his culture with his attached love of his native Ijaw attire. No wonder, it has become a fad among big boys across the country’s socio-economic and political firmament.
MIKE ADENUGA’S love for kaftan
Dr. Mike Adenuga might be perceived in many quarters as the least visible billionaire to be sighted in high octane events. And as such, assessing his dress culture could prove a bit of a task. Adenuga’s rise to fame and fortune began at the young age of 26 in the 1970s when he was involved in the distribution of lace and other textile materials.
Perhaps this might have accounted for his penchant for kaftans of lace derivatives. Not known for adorning European three-piece suits, style for Adenuga, appears to mean freedom. With a frame described in urban language as ‘Plus Size,’ Adenuga loves to be free, as such, his love for flowing robes and kaftans is legendary.
IBIKUNLE AMOSUN and his ‘sky-scrapper’ cap
Only on rare occasions is Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun seen in suits. But when he is in his traditional attire, he hardly does so without complementing it with his sky-scrapper cap. At every occasion he graces, his cap dwarfs even the giant among the crowd.
Right from his days in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, “SIA” (Senator Ibikunle Amosun) has evolved the ‘onilegogoro’ cap style which is fast becoming a fad in and around Ogun State. Many believe he has only continued to promote a style created by the first Executive President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Usman Shagari, and the late Chief Solomon Lar of Plateau State both of whom wore the tallest trademark cap in Nigeria’s history.
FEMI OTEDOLA’S love for ‘immaculate white’
Femi Otedola is famous for his sparkling white traditional attire. Additionally, Otedola adorns foot wears that could be said to be a collector’s item. To Femi, looking stylish comes at a cost.
ROTIMI AMAECHI
A confident but youthful swagger driven by a trendy fashion sense, is one of the things that define the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi. He shares the same fashion style with President Jonathan. They have both made the Niger-Delta attire an object of national fondness. Rotimi is not complete without adding his walking stick to make a statement that he is rooted in the Ijaw culture.
KOJO ANTHONY WILLIAMS
The name of Kojo Williams will receive perennial mentions every time list of Nigeria’s most stylish men is compiled. This sport loving former NFA chairman knows his onions when it comes to style. Being stylish is not as simple and the same as spending vast amounts of money on designer brands and keeping up with trends. In fact, inexpensive clothes can be worn with style as long as you know how to make the most of it. Kofi knows this and practices it to details. Kofi creates his own unique style. He is popular with suits and bow tie. Kojo feels comfortable and confident in them.
JOHN OBAYUWANA
John Obayuwana is the Managing Director of Polo, the exclusive outfit that vends some of the finest Swiss watch and jewellery brands such as Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Chopard, Baume and Mercier, Montblanc, Rado, Technomarine and Balmain. John is like a preacher who makes the Bible his companion. One of the most visible apparels you are likely to spot on Obayuwana when you see him is his expensive wrist watches of different designs.
TONY ELUMELU
Bankers have a reputation for smartness and neatness. Tony Elumelu, who managed Standard Trust Bank and later, United Bank for Africa, for ages, epitomises smartness, for which bankers world-wide are known, all because of his fondness for suits.
SEGUN OSOBA
Everything about Aremo Segun Osoba, as far as dress code is traditional. Aremo never sheds off the toga of a traditionally stylish person. He never compromises on his traditional regalia. And he has continued to gracefully in the native outfits.
LANRE OGUNLESI
Lanre Ogunlesi’s style is summed up in the following narration he gave in one his numerous interviews: “My son has asked me repeatedly what separates the well dressed from the very well dressed. And I never fail to reiterate that ‘neatness’, being very neat from head to toe is the first rule. Not how expensive or stylish your duds are. Not how fashionable and appropriate your apparels pass. No matter what you adorn, once you fail the ‘cleanliness’ test, you can’t get anywhere.” Lanre wears them neat and smooth.
DEOLU ADEBOYE
Deolu, son of General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, preaches better style sermon with what he wears. He did not only open ‘Wisemen Apparel’ to sell top of the range men’s wear, he wears what he sells. You must be extremely anti-social to keep mute without asking Deolu where he gets the stuff he wears.
EYIMOFE ATAKE
As a learned profession in the legal world, not a few expect Eyimofe to be conservative. His profession calls for it, but not so for this very successful Lagos-based lawyer. With a physique that belies his age at 53 years, Eyimofe looks good in whatever he wears.
OBARO IBRU
Colour combination is a tricky aspect of style which Obaro has mastered effortlessly. Obaro does not only know how to mix and match, but his collection of designer jeans makes bold fashion statement any day and anywhere.
AIGBOJE IMOKHUEDE
Aigboje Imokhuede is not a man of many words. But the outgoing Managing Director of Access Bank plc makes for this with his dressing. Smartness is Aigboje’s watchword. Neatly tailored suits are Aig’s signature tune. He is said to have a wardrobe endowed with top names in suit making.
SANI DANGOTE
Cool, calm and collected are words that define Sani Dangote’s mien. For Sani, expensive clothes will look completely unstylish if they are not right for you. He has a good eye for details. That is why you would always find him unruffled even after a hard day job. For him, it is comfort and confidence
TUNDE FOLAWIYO
Tunde’s gait stands him out from the crowd any day. Self-conscious and meticulous in nature, the scion of the Folawiyo dynasty, comes to the scene with an impeccable carriage and knack for simple but refined attire.
SUBOMI BALOGUN
Otunba Subomi Balogun is a veteran socialite whose style should be a case study for stylists. For someone whose sheer industry has thrown up a global financial institution with rock-solid financial base, one wonders how he finds time to look as trendy as he does in his full regalia of white apparels as his trademark.
ALEX AKINYELE
Chief Alex Akinyele likes enjoying life to the fullest and he makes no pretence about this. To the Ondo-born High Chief, age is just a number. His age should not deter him from looking good. With his well shaved moustache, he is always resplendent in his grandly embroidered robes made of Aso-Oke.
LEKAN OSIFESO
The scion of the Osifeso clan in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State and Chairman of LEKAI Nigeria Limited, a construction company, Lekan Osifeso is known for his customised crested jackets. He mixes colours with elegance and aplomb. A quintessential dazzler on the social scene, he looks very comfortable in the most luxurious suits and traditional pieces. He is an all-rounder with a peculiar style difficult to imitate.
OBA FREDRICK AKINRUNTAN
Royalty aptly describes Oba Fredrick Akinruntan’s style. With his beaded fly whisk (Irukere), the Olugbo of Ugbo displays his emblems of power with an individuality that cannot be ascribed to any other king. The founder of Obat oil and gas is a flamboyant character in the mould of kings. He is one of the most stylish monarchs in Nigeria.
PAUL ADEFARASIN
Paul Adefarasin is one of Nigeria’s trendiest pastors. He is the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Churches Worldwide,. Pastor Adefarasin has a penchant for crispy, elegant suits. Adefarasin once said that one’s outward appearance should be a reflection of one’s heart. In recognition of this statement, he often makes a fashion statement. He once won an award as a style icon.
CHRIS OKOTIE
With a relatively successful career in pop music before venturing into evangelism, Pastor Okotie never leaves anybody in doubt about his passion for looking trendy. Okotie is unapologetic about his trademark long jackets. He is also a freak for shoes of different colours and designs.
