First Nigerian male model to walk Milan, Paris runway

In Europe, there is a certain Nigerian, Victor Ndigwe, making the headlines for all the right reasons. Ndigwe is only 19 and he’s already carved a niche for himself as a male model.

For starters he is the first Nigerian male model to walk both Milan and Paris runway but his story is a typical ‘grass to grace’ African narrative.

Not too long ago, Ndigwe, was just like another teenager aspiring to be a top shot model in Nigeria, hustling for jobs and trying to get into a good agency, until his story changed.

His dreams of having camera, light and action as well as gracing the pages of glossy magazine soon became a reality.

Victor, who isn’t the only model in his family, had heard about the Aquafina Elite Model Look  competition in Nigeria in 2012, and had decided to sign up with his sister. He didn’t get his chance until 2014 when he registered along with thousands of other hopefuls, except his sister who missed out because of school exams.

As luck, or maybe his excellent performance would have it, Victor was selected as part of 13 finalists who got a chance to impress the Elite Model Look international judges. Victor was victorious (talk about a good name), along with a female winner, Mayowa Nicholas.

Together, they got their big break into the international modelling industry, but here’s why Victor is special.

After winning the competition, he started out in Milan, walking the ramp for Ermenegildo Zegna andMissoni, the first ever Nigerian male model to do so. He then went on to Paris, where he made runway appearances for brands including Hermès, Balmain,Kenzo and Haider Ackermann!

Victor’s success has gained him tons of international attention and loads of female admirers, including an interview with Vogue Italy.

Now Victor Nidgwe will serve as an inspiration to all upcoming models, especially finalists of Aquafina Elite Model Look 2015 holding Sunday 13 September in Lagos.

In an interview with Vogue Magazine, Victor said, “I want to inspire other models that have dreams the same way I had them. I just want to be a good example.”

Amazingly, he’s already doing that as a teenager. In addition to being an international model, courtesy the Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria contest, Victor is still in school, studying Applied Mathematics.

Super stardom seriously doesn’t get any better than this.