Lagos unveils first City Trade Fair, targets 3,000 MSME

The Lagos State Government has announced the inaugural edition of the Lagos Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Exclusive and Eko Round City Trade Fair, a week-long event aimed at strengthening grassroots enterprise development and promoting inclusive economic growth.

The fair will hold from December 8 to 14, 2025, at the National Stadium in Surulere.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose, said the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to empowering small businesses and amplifying the visibility of grassroots entrepreneurs often overlooked in larger markets.

Bada Ambrose explained that the fair is designed to create an inclusive marketplace that will enhance capacity building, support business expansion and encourage collaboration among local governments.

The maiden edition will feature businesses from five major LGAs—Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Eti-Osa and Apapa—as well as their LCDAs, including Lagos Island East and West, Yaba, Coker Aguda, Itire Ikate, Apapa Iganmu, Iru-Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Eti-Osa East and Eti-Osa West.

She said the “Round City” concept reflects the state’s effort to connect the diverse commercial identities of Lagos—from the industrial hub of Apapa and the commercial heart of Lagos Island to the cultural vibrancy of Surulere, the dynamic Mainland and the rapidly expanding Eti-Osa corridor.

Highlighting the critical role of MSMEs in the state’s economy, the Commissioner noted that Lagos contributes more than 30 percent to Nigeria’s total GDP. She added that in 2024, the service sector—driven largely by trade—accounted for over 90 percent of Lagos’ real GDP, with trade alone representing more than half of that contribution in the second quarter.

“These figures reaffirm a simple truth: when MSMEs grow, Lagos grows. And when Lagos grows, Nigeria prospers,” she said.

Bada Ambrose described the fair as a celebration of creativity, resilience and local enterprise. She said the event will expand market access for micro and informal businesses, connect them to investors and support agencies, and drive poverty reduction across communities.

She added that artisans, traders and informal-sector operators will be fully included, with a cross-LGA collaboration zone created to boost idea exchange and strengthen value chains.

The Commissioner also revealed that the fair will help develop a comprehensive database of MSMEs and informal businesses across the participating councils, enabling more targeted government support in the future.

Fair Coordinator, Mr Fuad Oki, commended the Ministry for championing the initiative, noting that it will attract artisans, food vendors, fashion designers, home décor producers, tech service providers and other informal-sector actors.

Speaking on behalf of all participating councils, Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Mr Yusuf Suleiman, thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for backing the initiative, saying it will unlock new opportunities for MSMEs and stimulate grassroots economic growth across the state.