Aliyu Abdulwajid, popularly known as Metro G is a fashion creative from Edo State, Nigeria. He is the founder of MetroWearz, a craftsman, a creative director and a stylist. He describes his brainchild ‘MetroWearz’ as something that has always been a part of him. Although he got a clearer realization of it in 2019; during his university days. This eureka came from his love for custom tees which he wore all the time because he felt ‘too fly’ to wear random shirts. This started after his mom gifted him the first at 15.
Soon, he began producing custom tees that matched his personality and style. ‘If I got a dollar for every compliment I received, I’d probably be the richest man alive’. He jokes. ‘Every one wanted what Metro Wears’. In 2020, he made the movement official with his first drop, ‘Good Kid, Bad Intentions’. Since then, he has been surfing with each collection, improving his designs, and constantly creating a better version of himself. MetroWearz is, in every sense, him telling his story through design. Every outfit carries a piece of his journey.
Growing Up Surrounded by Style
Metro G’s upbringing shaped who he became. He grew up in a community with more boutiques than schools, more thrift vendors than hospitals. Fashion was part of survival. “The swag is already in you, you just have to find it,” he says. He and his friends were born creatives. Long before modern machines became available, they were making custom prints with film packs, foam, and ink. “In many ways, I was born into fashion,” he says. He also notes that his Father has always been that “G with the swag,” and his mom always had an eye for the best fits. These experiences, he regards as really good fuel for his creativity. About a year after starting MetroWearz, he began styling. “I loved the way I put clothes together. Simple but not simple, versatile enough for any function,” he explains. Styling became a tool to promote the brand. “Music and fashion go together like credit and debit.”
A Hobby, a Job, and a Reflection of Life
Metro describes MetroWearz as a language he understands and speaks fluently. It has always been a hobby, but it has also outgrown the idea of being “just” that. For him, it does not even feel like a job. It feels like a reflection of his life.
“For many in the market, fashion is just a means to make money. For me, it’s deeper. It’s like a child, something that completes me. Like a voice to a song or the sun to the day,” he says. While he admits that making money from what you love is heavenly, the real reward is watching what started as an idea become something bigger than he imagined. He remembers being asked where he sees himself with the movement in the future, and his answer was simple, but certain: it will be “bigger than we can both imagine.”
Heritage in Every Design
His Nigerian heritage shapes the stories he tells through his work. As a child, his family traveled back home during festive periods. These trips were a way of celebrating, connecting with relatives, and immersing themselves in culture.
“What stuck with me the most was the highway landscape, the endless greenery. That view never left me,” he says. Today, green is his favorite color to work with. It appears often in his designs, both personal and symbolic, reflecting Nigeria’s agricultural culture and the beauty in its landscape.
Blending Streetwear and Biker Culture
Metro G’s craft connects with people who understand the ideology of creating something from nothing. He has moved from making basic tees to unique and intricate jackets and outfits.
“All of this is fueled by my desire to be great, to be seen and understood,” he explains. For him, the brand is a tool to blend luxury and streetwear into high-quality outfits, not overpriced clothing sold simply under the label of branding.
The Power of Image
Metro G believes appearance is the first statement you make. “First impression matters,” he says. “Invest in how you look just as much as you invest in your craft, because perception shapes opportunity.” He backs this up by talking about A$AP Rocky. “He’s so fashion forward. To me, he is more of a fashion icon than an artist. I sometimes forget he raps. That’s the power of image.”
Challenges as a Young Nigerian Designer
Being a creative, designer, or craftsman in Nigeria can sometimes feel discouraging. A major challenge is finding the right tools and resources; fabrics, machinery, accessories, and more.
In his early days, the lack of access to these resources made achieving certain things difficult. “But I’ve learned to see things not just for what they are, but what they could become,” he says. That mindset has allowed him to achieve what he wants even without the best tools. Today, his recent releases are perceived as if they were done abroad, when in fact they were created in his studio with basic machinery.
What’s Next for MetroWearz
Metro G has a lot in store. “I have a lot of tricks up my sleeves, and honestly, I can’t wait to show the world,” he says. He has two sketchbooks filled with unreleased designs, plus pieces from his paused collection MW4L, which he hopes to drop in the coming year.
“Creativity works in its own way. New ideas may be born, and some may align perfectly with the current stage in life,” he adds.
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