Govt targets 3,000 MSMEs at trade fair

Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose

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The Lagos State Government has announced the maiden edition of the Lagos Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Exclusive and Eko Round City Trade Fair, a new initiative designed to deepen grassroots enterprise development and promote inclusive economic growth.

The week-long fair is scheduled to hold from December 8 to 14, 2025, at the National Stadium, Surulere and targets about 3,000 MSMEs.

Speaking on Tuesday at a press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose, said the fair underscores the government’s commitment to empowering small businesses and giving visibility to often-overlooked grassroots entrepreneurs.

She noted that the event aims to create an inclusive marketplace that fosters capacity building, business expansion and inter-LGA collaboration.

The fair will feature participation from five key LGAs: Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Eti-Osa and Apapa, as well as their associated LCDAs, including Apapa Iganmu, Eti-Osa East, Eti-Osa West, Iru-Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Lagos Island East and West, Yaba, Coker Aguda and Itire Ikate.

According to her, the “Round City” concept reflects efforts to unify diverse communities across Lagos “by connecting the commercial energy of Lagos Island, the industrial character of Apapa, the vibrant pulse of Surulere, the bustling Lagos Mainland, and the fast-growing business corridors of Eti-Osa.”

Ambrose highlighted the crucial role of MSMEs in Lagos’ economy, noting that the state contributes over 30 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

She added that in 2024, the service sector, driven significantly by trade, accounted for over 90 percent of Lagos’ real GDP, with trade making up more than half of that in the second quarter.

“These facts speak clearly: when MSMEs thrive, Lagos thrives. And when Lagos thrives, Nigeria advances,” she said.

The commissioner described the upcoming fair as a celebration of enterprise, resilience, creativity and community.

She added that the event would provide informal and micro-enterprises with access to markets, knowledge and partnerships, ultimately helping lift thousands out of poverty.

“We have created strong pathways between MSMEs and support agencies, potential investors and public-private partners. For artisans and informal sector operators, from roadside vendors to market traders, we have ensured full inclusion and support,” she said, noting that a cross-LGA collaboration zone would enable entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and strengthen value chains.

She revealed that the fair will also lay the groundwork for developing a comprehensive database of MSMEs and informal-sector actors across the participating LGAs to help the government deliver targeted support.

The Fair Coordinator, Fuad Oki, commended the ministry for spearheading the initiative, describing it as a boost to Lagos’ grassroots economy.

He said the fair would attract artisans, food vendors, fashion designers, home décor producers, technology service providers and other players in the informal sector.

The Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Yusuf Suleiman, speaking on behalf of participating LGAs and LCDAs, thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support.

He emphasised that the fair would create significant opportunities for MSMEs and enhance grassroots economic activities across the state.

Gbenga has been covering Metro, politics and education beats for two years as a print and digital journalist

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