In a world where most children played dress-up for fun, Agbaje Imoleayo Maria was building a vision. As a young girl in Nigeria, she wasn’t just switching clothes for fun—she was exploring who she was and what she could create. Her deep love for fashion showed early through handmade journals, sketches, crocheted bags, and short stories.
Fashion wasn’t just a hobby for her. It was self-expression.
The Detour Through Physiotherapy
Though her passion for fashion was strong, Imoleayo’s journey first took her to medical school. At the same time, she was running a side business importing fashion wears from overseas. It was a smart way to blend her interests, until COVID-19 hit in 2020.
The pandemic shut everything down. International shipments stopped, and her business crashed.
I lost everything I’d worked for, Imoleayo says. That pain led me back to what I loved creating.
She turned to local resources and handmade fashion. In that quiet moment of rediscovery, she found her true calling.
Rediscovering Her Why
The journey back wasn’t easy. But it was powerful.
Imoleayo leaned on faith and resilience to move forward. She says the biggest lesson she’s learned is the importance of purpose.
When you remember your why, you find your strength again, she shares.
And that strength led to something big. Imoleayo was soon recognized among the Top 10 emerging designers in Nigeria, supported by leading African fashion brands. It gave her visibility, confidence, and most importantly, confirmation that her talent mattered.
The Launch of Walk With Yango
Imoleayo’s newest and most exciting project is Walk With Yango, a fashion initiative that blends culture, purpose, and storytelling. It’s not just a brand. It’s a mission.
Walk With Yango aims to showcase African heritage through bold, handmade fashion. It combines traditional styles with modern design to create pieces that tell stories of strength, beauty, and legacy.
We’re not just making clothes, Imoleayo says. We’re making meaning.
Collaborating with African creatives and celebrities, Walk With Yango is already inspiring people across the continent and beyond.
Fashion That Heals and Empowers
Imoleayo’s work goes far beyond aesthetics. Each design carries a story. Each collection holds meaning.
I design for the ones who’ve been through something. The ones still walking through life with hope, she says.
Whether it’s a handmade shoe or a custom outfit, Imoleayo creates fashion that speaks to the heart. Her designs represent strength, healing, identity, and beauty.
She believes that fashion is a tool for transformation, and she’s using it to help people wear their stories with pride.
Impacting Lives Through Local Empowerment
Another major part of Imoleayo’s work is giving back to the community. Walk With Yango uses locally sourced materials and partners with artisans and small businesses. This approach not only promotes African fashion but also supports families and creators within her region.
It’s not just about what we make, she explains. It’s about who we help.
Imoleayo is passionate about building a brand that uplifts others, especially young African creatives who dream big but feel limited.
Through mentorship, collaboration, and storytelling, she’s showing what’s possible.
A Voice That’s Reaching the World
Imoleayo’s presence is growing far beyond Nigeria. With a strong following on platforms like Instagram (agbaje_maria), TikTok (agbaje_maria), and LinkedIn (Imoleayo Agbaje), she’s becoming a voice of hope and creativity for the next generation of designers.
Her posts are not just beautiful. They’re meaningful. She often shares behind-the-scenes looks at her design process, words of encouragement, and glimpses into her journey.
I want people to know they’re not alone, she says. Whatever you’re dreaming of, it’s possible.
A Message to the Dreamers
Imoleayo has walked through uncertainty, failure, and fear. But she’s come out stronger on the other side, and she wants others to do the same.
To those still on the path, she says:
I know you are afraid and unsure, but I promise you, it gets better with every step. Keep going.
Her story is a reminder that it’s okay to fall. What matters is getting up and walking again with purpose.
The Legacy She’s Building
Imoleayo doesn’t just want to make clothes. She wants to create a legacy.
She hopes to be remembered as a creator who used fashion to heal, inspire, and uplift. Through Walk With Yango, she’s building more than a brand. She’s building a movement.
I want every product we make to remind people of the greatness inside them, she says. This is more than fashion. It’s faith. It’s power. It’s legacy.
And she’s just getting started.
Connect With Agbaje Imoleayo
Instagram: @agbaje_maria
Follow her journey. Walk with purpose. Wear your story.
Read More: Dubai Miracle Garden Season 13: Final Day Announced
