By Ghazali Ibrahim
British-Nigerian music executive Grace Ladoja has made history after becoming the first African woman to design a sneaker for global sportswear giant Nike.
Ladoja, founder of the Our Homecoming Festival, collaborated with Nike to create a special edition of the Air Max Plus sneaker, marking a major milestone for African representation in global fashion and design.
The design is deeply rooted in African identity and culture, featuring bold colourways inspired by Pan-African themes and West African landscapes. Elements such as cowrie shells, African maps, and symbolic charms were incorporated to reflect heritage and storytelling through fashion.
Speaking about the project, Ladoja described the sneaker as a personal and cultural expression, drawing from her upbringing between London and Lagos.
The design also reflects her long-standing influence in bridging African creativity with global audiences through her Homecoming platform.
The collaboration was unveiled during the Homecoming Festival in Lagos, where creatives from across Africa and the diaspora gathered to celebrate the launch.
Beyond fashion, the milestone signals a broader shift in how global brands engage with African talent not just as inspiration, but as creators and decision-makers shaping products at the highest level.
Ladoja, a daughter of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, recently shared an inspiring journey about her battle with breast cancer, a rare condition she’s been diagnosed with since August 2025.
Beyond her health struggles, Ladoja’s achievement is being seen as a landmark moment for African women in the global sneaker industry, opening doors for more representation and recognition in international design spaces.
