By Emmanuel Ukudolo I Monday, Dec.15.25
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) is set to host a spectacular culinary and cultural convergence with the maiden GTCO Food & Drink Festival: Holiday Edition on December 20th and 21st, 2025.
Slated for the GTCentre, 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos, this event is poised to be a major highlight of the Lagos “Detty December” calendar, doubling as a powerful platform for economic empowerment.
This special holiday edition marks a strategic shift to leverage the festive season, focusing on a blend of culinary excellence, family-centric experiences, and enhanced support for small and medium food enterprises (SMEs).
Economic and Enterprise Impact
The festival remains a crucial catalyst for enterprise promotion in the food and beverage sector.
True to its model, GTCO is offering free exhibition stalls to participating vendors, a significant subsidy that removes a major barrier to market access.
Opportunities to Sell to Massive Crowd: With the December holiday rush and the festival’s established reputation, vendors are guaranteed massive foot traffic, translating directly into high sales volume.
Support for Local SMEs: This edition saw a record interest with over 4,000 applications, from which 213 Nigerian-owned food SMEs were selected—nearly double the number from previous non-holiday editions.
This reinforces the festival’s role in inclusive economic growth.
Brand Awareness: Beyond immediate sales, the massive platform offers unparalleled visibility for vendors, boosting brand awareness and fostering long-term customer relationships.
Culinary and Cultural Showcase
The event is a vibrant celebration of African cuisine, with a strong emphasis on local talent and ingredients.
Local Foods and Ingredients: The marketplace will showcase a diverse array of culinary offerings, celebrating the richness of traditional Nigerian dishes and contemporary fusion cuisine.
Assorted Drinks Locally Derived: Attendees can look forward to exploring a wide range of beverages, from refreshing fruit mixtures to innovative, locally derived drinks and mixology.
Seafoods: Given the coastal Lagos location, there will be a dedicated focus on fresh and diverse seafood dishes, a staple of the city’s culinary landscape.
Showcase of Talents: While the traditional international chef masterclasses are omitted for this holiday edition, the focus shifts to live street food pop-ups and live demonstrations by local rising culinary talents, spotlighting African creativity and food trends.
Focus on the Festive Experience
The Holiday Edition is consciously tailored to provide a holistic, family-friendly atmosphere that goes beyond just food.
Hospitality & Environment: Held in the well-secured and cool environment of the GTCentre, the venue is designed for comfort and ease of access, promising a high standard of hospitality for all visitors.
New Festive Attractions: Key additions for the December edition include:
Christmas Village: A curated marketplace for handcrafted gifts, seasonal delicacies, and artisanal products.
Large Children’s Play Zone: There is a dedicated, immersive area with safe, holiday-themed games and entertainment for young families.
Live Entertainment: The event will feature high-energy DJ raves and performances from top-tier Nigerian entertainers, ensuring a vibrant and upbeat “Detty December” atmosphere.
The GTCO Food & Drink Festival: Holiday Edition is more than just a food fair; it’s a strategically planned, consumer-focused, and commercially impactful lifestyle event.
It successfully blends the joy of the festive season with a powerful economic mandate—giving 213 local food businesses a free, high-visibility platform to thrive.
By championing local talent, cuisine, and enterprise in a secure, family-friendly setting, GTCO is reinforcing its reputation not just as a financial institution, but as a leading brand in promoting African creativity and community connection.
Vendor Showcase: The Holiday Edition (Dec 2025)
The focus of the Holiday Edition is strongly on supporting local enterprise, particularly through the free vendor stall model.
Total Vendors: 213 Nigerian-owned food businesses were selected to exhibit, a significant increase from previous non-holiday editions.
The selected vendors cover the spectrum of the food and drink industry, including:
Ready-to-Eat / Outdoor Street Food: Celebrating Nigeria’s vibrant street food culture.
Dry & Packaged Foods: Showcasing local ingredients and processed food products ready for home consumption.
Beverages, Wines & Spirits: Highlighting both locally derived, non-alcoholic drinks and artisanal alcoholic beverages.
Confectionery & Baked Items: Focusing on festive treats and specialized desserts.
Christmas Village: A dedicated new section for handcrafted gifts, seasonal delicacies, and artisanal products, providing additional opportunities for non-traditional food vendors.
While a complete public list of the 213 specific vendors is not typically released far in advance, the sheer number confirms the festival’s massive impact as a market platform for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The goal is to maximize sales and brand exposure for these local businesses during the high-traffic holiday season.
