The Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) has called on players in the interior design and broader creative industries to critically examine the structural gaps within their businesses and begin building enterprises defined by integrity, resilience, and long-term value.
This charge was delivered during the 2025 IDAN CEO Roundtable Series, held recently in Lagos under the theme “Building Sustainable Systems & Structures for Interior Design Businesses.”
One of the keynote speakers, Mrs. Nwamaka Okoye, group managing director of D’ulo Group, emphasized the importance of intentionality and identity in building a sustainable design practice. Speaking on the topic “Who are we really?” she noted: “You must define your identity. Who are you? What will you do—and not do? Who do you serve, and what is your end goal?”
She further highlighted the importance of embedding systems and processes within a business, noting that without structure, even the most passionate businesses struggle to thrive.
“Strategy is essential, but it must be supported by clear systems and repeatable processes to function effectively,” she added.
According to Okoye, a firm’s culture and leadership style also significantly influence its sustainability.
“Culture must be intentional—both internally for your team and externally for your clients. People need to know how your business operates and what it stands for.”
Mr. Michael Awonowo, CEO of Micdee and a fellow keynote speaker, urged design practitioners to treat their passion as a business and build the foundational structures necessary for long-term success.
“Interior design is more than just a passion—it is a business. And like any other business, it must be structured to perform, scale, and outlast its founders,” he said.
Mr. Byron Chukwudi, managing partner and chief strategy officer at Arno, added: “Businesses without purpose are doomed. Interior designers must move beyond talent to build systems-driven enterprises that are future-ready.”
Delivering her remarks, IDAN president, Ms. Jacqueline Aki, underscored that structural reform is non-negotiable if the profession is to mature.
“Structure is not optional it’s become the only way forward. Our industry has always had passion. Now, we must build permanence. This Roundtable is a call to all designers to pause the hustle, reflect deeply, and lay the foundation for legacy.”
She stressed that education and a strong sense of community are core to sustainability: “We cannot build a thriving industry without equipping its stewards. This series invites us to unlearn, reframe, and begin again with context and community as our compass.”
Mr. Abiodun Shonibare, chair of IDAN’s Education Committee, emphasized the long-term vision of the series: “This isn’t about one-off inspiration. It’s about building institutional memory; designing firms that endure, cultures that nurture, and templates others can follow.”
Shonibare explained that the Roundtable aligns with IDAN’s 2025 strategic goals, which include: Strengthening the identity and public perception of interior design as a profession, fostering scalable firms through systems and structure, equipping firm leaders with tools for decision-making, strategy, and financial management, supporting intergenerational transfer and youth employment-readiness and creating regional opportunities for collaboration and visibility.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretariat, IDAN secretary general, Theresa Ephraim, reiterated the objective of the series: “The CEO Roundtable aims to equip members with practical knowledge to structure their businesses, operations, and systems so they can outlive their founders.”
She noted that the 2025 edition comprises three purpose-built sessions designed to help CEOs, founders, and studio leaders assess internal gaps and collectively reimagine the future of interior design firms in Nigeria.
“The profession has evolved from a mosaic of self-taught creatives, decorators, and tradespeople often with minimal structure. The missing link isn’t talent, but systems. This series is both a catalyst, shifting interior design from a transactional service to a structured economic sector.”
The IDAN CEO Roundtable Series is a cornerstone of IDAN’s broader ecosystem of initiatives. Alongside World Interiors Day, the Annual Summit, strategic CSR projects, and the IDAN Lessons Webinar Series, the Roundtable reinforces the association’s commitment to knowledge-driven, community-led, and future-forward transformation of the interior design profession in Nigeria
- The Industry
