In a post shared by @graceladoja on Instagram and detailed by Essence, the founder of the Homecoming Festival has become the first African woman to design a signature shoe for Nike. The collaboration features a reworked Air Max Plus, nicknamed the “Cobra,” which integrates deep Nigerian cultural symbols into its aesthetic.
The design includes a textured material inspired by the traditional African sponge and detachable charms featuring cowrie shells and the Nigerian eagle. Ladoja’s journey is particularly poignant, as she famously walked to school for 60 days as a youth just to save money for her first pair of Nikes, making this a full-circle career moment.
Confirming the launch, Hypebeast Africa noted the shoe’s “Pan-African and African Sunrise colorways,” while Pulse Nigeria added, “Ladoja’s Nike ‘Cobra’ is a masterclass in blending street style with authentic heritage.” Both outlets praised the innovation of the layered plastic cage structure, a first for the silhouette.
**Echotitbits take:**
This is a massive win for the “Export Nigeria” movement. Beyond the fashion statement, Ladoja is opening doors for African designers to lead global creative directions at major corporations like Nike. Expect this drop to sell out instantly on the SNKRS app, especially with the heavy cultural backing from the Homecoming community in Lagos.
Source: [Essence] — [https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/grace-ladoja-first-african-woman-nike-signature-shoe/], [April 14, 2026]
Photo Credit: [Essence]
