Culture

Lagos Tourism Fair 2025 targets N5 Billion in sales to boost Trade, SMEs

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2025

The Lagos Tourism Fair 2025 aims for N5 billion in sales, supporting SMEs through trade, entertainment, and business growth initiatives

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging entertainment as a driver of trade, with the 2025 Lagos Tourism Fair projected to generate N5 billion in sales.

Set to take place from **April 11 to 13** at **Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island**, the fair is being organised in collaboration with the **Naija Brand Chick (NBC) Trade Fair**, marking the second partnership between Lagos State and NBC.

Idris Aregbe, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, emphasised the government’s dedication to supporting **local businesses and entrepreneurs** through strategic initiatives like this fair.

“The essence of tourism lies in buying, selling, and landscape development while boosting the local economy and fostering cultural exchange,” Aregbe stated.

He noted that the Lagos State government prioritises **job creation, SME growth, poverty reduction, and bridging economic inequality**, making events like this a key part of their development strategy.

“This edition will be bigger and better, as we have worked tirelessly to refine the experience and maximise impact. Beyond the physical marketplace, we are introducing an **online deals spot** to enhance accessibility,” he added.

The trade fair will provide attendees with **cost-saving shopping opportunities**, discounted deals, and access to **high-quality products from over 220 vendors**.

NBC founder Nelly Agbogu highlighted Lagos as the ideal location for business expansion, crediting the state government’s support for small enterprises.

“Lagos provides the perfect landscape for business growth. This fair proves that with the right support, dreams can be actualised. We are thrilled to create another groundbreaking event that empowers SMEs and transforms lives,” Agbogu said.

Beyond business transactions, the **Lagos Tourism Fair 2025** will offer an engaging experience with:

✔ **Business masterclasses and workshops** for vendor education
✔ **Financial inclusion initiatives**, including grants and funding opportunities
✔ **Cultural performances, celebrity appearances, and dance showcases**
✔ **Raffle draws and giveaways** to boost sales and engagement

With an estimated **75,000 attendees over three days**, the fair aims to solidify its reputation as **one of Nigeria’s top business events**. By merging **trade, entertainment, and entrepreneurship**, Lagos State is reinforcing its position as a hub for economic growth and innovation.

Up Next

Imo Government urges Igbo pride amid language concerns

Don't Miss

Nigerian Artist Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke to unveil world’s largest art canvas in Abuja

Click to comment

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”