Sanwo-Olu Lauded as Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair Surpasses N1.3bn Milestone
The just-concluded Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair has received widespread commendation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), vendors, and stakeholders, who praised the Lagos State Government for its continued support of entrepreneurship and economic growth.
The three-day event, held from Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, attracted over 100,000 participants and provided a platform for businesses to showcase their brands to a global audience.
Convener of the Naija Brand Chick (NBC), Mrs. Nelly Agbogu, expressed appreciation to the state government, noting that the partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture greatly contributed to the fair’s success. She revealed that this year’s edition surpassed the previous fair, which generated over N1.3 billion in revenue, with many entrepreneurs traveling from other states to participate.
“This year’s fair has been amazing. Business owners are happy, and I am thrilled we broke last year’s record,” Agbogu said. “I deeply appreciate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, for their unwavering support. We look forward to an even bigger event on the Lagos Mainland next edition.”
Mr. Aregbe, the Special Adviser to the Governor, also hailed the massive turnout and lauded the creative infusion of entertainment into commerce, stating it played a key role in boosting sales and brand visibility.
“This is what Lagos is about—supporting SMEs and using our creative economy to drive commerce. Thanks to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s vision, we’ve put our SMEs on the global map,” Aregbe stated.
Wema Bank’s Divisional Head for Retail and SMEs, Ayodele Olojede, described the trade fair as a vital platform for economic empowerment. “The more we create such opportunities, the more SMEs contribute to GDP and drive development,” she said.
Vendors at the fair echoed similar sentiments, with many revealing that their sales over the three-day period exceeded what they typically record in weeks or even months. They credited the Lagos State Government for creating an enabling environment that fosters business growth and visibility.
