The 2025 Nigeria International Trade Fair (NITF) opened on Friday, November 21, at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex with a renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s role in regional and international commerce. Organised by the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB), the ceremony brought together government leaders, investors, industry executives, and private-sector partners to mark the official commencement of this year’s exhibition held under the theme, Trade, Technology and Transformation: Leveraging Digital Trade for Economic and Industrial Growth.
Founded in 1981, the Nigeria International Trade Fair (NITF) is Nigeria’s flagship national trade platform, connecting local and international participants to catalyse commerce across ECOWAS and beyond. Its mission is to catalyse exports, investment, and industrial growth through a credible show and year-round engagement.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of LITFCMB, Barr. Vera Safiya Ndanusa, reaffirmed the Board’s statutory mandate to organise trade fairs across Nigeria and its renewed focus on restoring the Complex as a functional, nationally relevant centre for business. She emphasised that the Fairground is being repositioned to support enterprise growth, investment inflow, and wider participation across sectors. “Our goal is to create and sustain an environment where trade thrives, businesses can scale, and investment can flow freely,” she said.
A truly vibrant trade ecosystem must be inclusive, and inclusivity begins with access.
Barr. Vera Safiya Ndanusa, Executive Director, LITFCMB
The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, reinforced the Fair’s importance in the current economic landscape, noting that the platform continues to shape the direction of trade and business nationwide.
“This Trade Fair and this physical space continue to shape the future of trade and business in Nigeria, especially at a time where global uncertainty, ongoing economic reforms, and an evolving business climate demand resilience and partnership,” she stated.
The event was attended by senior government officials, including the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan Eno; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi; the DG of SMEDAN (Small Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria), Charles Odii; the MD of Tafawa Balewa Square, Mrs. Lucia Shittu; and the Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Highness Gen. Yahaya Abubakar (Etsu Nupe), among others. Their participation underscored the national relevance of the Fair as a platform for investment, business expansion, and state-level collaboration.
NITF 2025 is supported by strong public- and private-sector partnerships, including the Lagos State Government, Imo State Government, Oyo State Government, Niger State Government, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and 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.
The Nigeria International Trade Fair runs from the November 21 to the 30th at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, welcoming over 4,000 attendees and 50+ exhibitions, product showcases, and business engagements designed to promote investment, strengthen value chains, and support SMEs and large enterprises operating within and beyond Nigeria.
