By Benjamin Omoike in Lagos
LAGOS – The Nigerian Federal Government has declared the 2025 Nigeria International Trade Fair a “resounding success,” positioning the event as evidence of the country’s growing industrial capacity, renewed investor confidence, and strategic push to become a leading manufacturing and export hub on the African continent.
Speaking at the closing ceremony in Lagos on Saturday, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said the fair highlighted Nigeria’s significant potential to drive economic transformation through innovation and private-sector collaboration, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The robust turnout of international exhibitors, investors and development partners is a strong vote of confidence,” said Ambassador Rimi, whose remarks were delivered by the Director of Special Duties, Aminu Dogondaji.
“It signals to the world that Nigeria remains a premier destination for business and legitimate investment.”
The event, which attracted thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors, saw strong participation across key sectors including manufacturing, agribusiness, digital services, renewable energy, and the creative economy, reflecting what the Ministry described as Nigeria’s expanding and resilient productive base.
Ambassador Rimi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the national business environment.
He stressed that the fair is a critical platform for export diversification and competitiveness as Nigeria seeks to aggressively reposition itself “not just as a participant, but as a manufacturing and export hub for the African continent.”
The Executive Director and CEO of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board, Vera Safiya Ndanusa, echoed the positive assessment, stating that the 2025 edition marked a “full-scale revival” and exceeded projections for attendance, business transactions, and international participation.
“We have so many tangible achievements from this trade fair, but the one that stood out is that it has been revived completely,” Ms. Ndanusa stated. She noted that the volume of deals sealed and the diversity of foreign participation reaffirmed the event’s role as a continental commercial hub.
In a strong indicator of demand, Ms. Ndanusa revealed that several exhibitors sold out their products before the final day, with some securing more partnerships than they could immediately service. This has prompted stakeholders to request early registration and enhanced digital engagement ahead of the 2026 edition, she added.
Ambassador Rimi challenged all stakeholders to convert the momentum into tangible results. “I challenge all stakeholders to translate the conversations of this fair into concrete actions—sign deals, establish policy partnerships and pursue industrial collaborations,” he urged. “These tangible outcomes are the true measure of our success.”
The success of the 2025 fair is being viewed by officials as a validation of the current administration’s efforts to provide an enabling environment for commerce, reinforcing Lagos’s status as a major regional centre for trade, investment, and commercial innovation.
