The 2025 Nigeria International Trade Fair (NITF) threw open its gates on 21 November at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, stepping into the spotlight with a fresh promise: to turn the nation’s trade ambitions into a digital‑first, inclusive reality.
Organised by the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB), the ten‑day exposition is billed under the banner “Trade, Technology and Transformation: Leveraging Digital Trade for Economic and Industrial Growth.”
The theme, according to LITFCMB’s Executive Director, Barr. Vera Safiya Ndanusa, reflects a strategic pivot to make the Fairground a “functional, nationally relevant centre for business” that can nurture enterprise, attract investment and broaden participation across every sector. “Our goal is to create and sustain an environment where trade thrives, businesses can scale, and investment can flow freely,” she told the gathered crowd. “A truly vibrant trade ecosystem must be inclusive, and inclusivity begins with access.”
The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, echoed that sentiment, noting that the Fair arrives at a moment of global uncertainty, sweeping economic reforms and a rapidly evolving business climate. “This physical space continues to shape the future of trade and business in Nigeria, especially when resilience and partnership are more vital than ever,” she said.
Senior officials added weight to the occasion: Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan Eno; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi; DG of SMEDAN, Charles Odii; MD of Tafawa Balewa Square, Mrs. Lucia Shittu; and the Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Highness Gen. Yahaya Abubakar (Etsu Nupe) were among the dignitaries who underscored the Fair’s role as a catalyst for investment, expansion and state‑level collaboration.
A partnership‑rich backdrop
The 2025 edition enjoys the backing of a broad coalition of public and private partners. On the government side, the Lagos State Government joins forces with Imo, Oyo and Niger states, while federal bodies such as the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and the Oil & Gas Free Zones Authority Nigeria lend their support.
On the corporate front, household names such as First Bank, The Alternative Bank, Tolaram, Dufil, CCECC, Minimie, Munch It, Wazobia TV & FM, Kellogg’s, Lagride, Lush Hair, Indomie, Power Oil, Colgate, Guinness, Fanmilk, Auto Spare Parts and Machinery, Choice2Mobile Technology and Perfect Trust are among the exhibitors powering the event.
Numbers that speak
The Fair is expected to draw over 4,000 attendees and feature more than 50 exhibitions, product showcases and business‑to‑business engagements aimed at bolstering investment, strengthening value chains and providing a launchpad for SMEs and large enterprises alike.
Lagos is no stranger to the trade‑fair circuit. November 2025 alone will see 44 trade fairs across Nigeria, with the majority – 35 – taking place in Lagos, cementing the city’s status as the nation’s commercial hub.
The NITF’s timing also follows the successful Nigeria Traders Fair held earlier in the year, which positioned Lagos as a growing financial centre and a gateway for global investment.
Looking ahead
As the Fair runs until 30 November, stakeholders are hopeful that the blend of policy dialogue, technology showcase and networking will translate into concrete deals and a renewed sense of regional cooperation.
“When trade is digitised and inclusive, it becomes a powerful engine for industrial growth,” Barr. Ndanusa added, hinting at a future where the Lagos Complex could serve as a year‑round hub for business innovation.
