By Ghazali Ibrahim
Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, CEO/MD of H&Y Furniture Manufacturers Limited, delivered a compelling call for structure and system-driven creativity at two high-profile industry events in Lagos on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Speaking at The Business of Interior Design Masterclass hosted by VickyHeldan in Lekki and the prestigious Lagos Leather Fair 2025, Abiru left a strong impression on architects, interior designers, leather artisans, and creative entrepreneurs with her powerful message: “Structure is the New Creative.”
Drawing from over three decades of experience at the helm of one of Nigeria’s most respected modular furniture companies, Abiru shared the transformation story of H&Y Furniture (formerly Home & You), which evolved from a modest furniture initiative into a scalable, systemised manufacturing enterprise.
She outlined how modularity, standardisation, and process-oriented design have allowed H&Y to serve diverse sectors, including real estate, banking, education, hospitality, and government.
The company’s extensive product line includes modular wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, office workstations, reception counters, conference tables, doors, and educational furniture, all produced with factory-grade precision at its flagship facility in Ikorodu.
A highlight of her keynote was the H&Y EPIIC Academy, a skills development hub nurturing a new generation of professionals trained under the company’s guiding values: Excellence, Partnership, Innovation, Integrity, and Customer Care.
At the design masterclass, Abiru challenged the myth that structure limits artistic freedom.
Instead, she demonstrated how it enhances creativity by providing the tools to replicate, scale, and sustain impact.
Through tips on cataloguing, workflow documentation, and pricing standardisation, she offered actionable strategies to help entrepreneurs move from passion projects to profitable enterprises.
Her presence at the Lagos Leather Fair, themed around the debate on whether “Made in Africa” is a movement or mirage, further emphasised the viability of sustainable manufacturing in Nigeria.
As she told the audience:
“We don’t just manufacture; we build systems that scale. Structure is how creativity becomes impact.”
Mrs. Abiru’s insights and leadership continue to position H&Y Furniture as a model for structured growth in Nigeria’s creative and design economy.
