GTCO Food & Drink Festival–Holiday Edition Hailed by Shoppers, Vendors as Resounding Success

By Azeez Disu

The maiden Holiday Edition of the GTCO Food & Drink Festival, held at the GT Centre in Oniru, Lagos, from 20–21 December, has concluded with widespread acclaim from participating businesses and satisfied consumers. Positioned as an effort to celebrate African cuisine and unlock new revenue opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the festival successfully created memorable holiday moments for families.

The event saw record participation, featuring 213 Nigerian-owned food and beverage vendors, nearly doubling the number from the last edition. This surge underscores the Festival’s growing impact as a significant catalyst for SME growth.

Vendors Laud Visibility and Networking

Vendors highlighted the unique opportunities provided by the free vendor participation model and the high visibility of the platform.

Mark Slade, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Jared Beach Resort Kitchen, noted that the festive timing significantly boosted their decision to return. “This is our second time back at GT Food Festival,” he said, noting they were “having a great time” and selling continuously since opening. Slade stated that the event is rewarding because “it’s rewarding to meet new customers and meet existing ones as well,” adding that they “had to be part of it” knowing the Christmas-themed event “was going to be a popular event”.

For some, like Adadu, the founder of Jyp Sie, the festival marked a crucial milestone. Abdul, whose brand features a wide variety of slushies and cocktails, celebrated the massive exposure, saying: “It has been an amazing platform for us. This is our first of participating and it has been amazing. It’s a big visibility for us and we thank GTCO”. Adadu further explained that he was motivated to participate because the festival “has a very a wide audience and wide appeal” and has historically been a huge success.

Another vendor from Topsis Burger Lab echoed this success, describing their experience as “perfect” and “very busy,” praising the organisers for providing such a significant platform.

For other entrepreneurs, the event served as a vital networking hub. The Founder of The Create Company, Oge explained that the festival is a platform “to showcase what you produce, sell it and also network with people within your industry”. She also noted that it serves as an “opportunity to meet with potential investors”.

Shoppers Praise Affordability and Atmosphere

Consumers and shoppers were equally delighted by the variety of offerings and the festive atmosphere.

Janet, a shopper, expressed her excitement about the community convergence: “I felt excited seeing lot of people converge in one location. The foods were sumptuous., you will want to ask for more and they were lot of free water courtsey of GTCO”. Another shopper, Olabisi, confirmed the accessible pricing, stating: “I had a wonderful experience shopping and they all affordable”.

The family-focused environment, which included new features like the Christmas Village and a Large Children’s Play Zone, enhanced the experience for many.

Precious, reflecting on her time at the festival, said, “Thank you GTCO, I had an amazing experience. I feel like this festival should continue for many more days”. Eze appreciated the community aspect during the festive season, noting: “I had some much with my friends and it was an opportunity for us to hang out after along time. Thanks GTCO for bring us together especially during this festive period”.

GTCO Reaffirms Commitment to Enterprise

The Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, Segun Agbaje, affirmed that the Holiday Edition aligns with the Group’s commitment to supporting enterprise and African creativity. The GTCO Food & Drink Festival is championed by the financial services group to support SMEs, celebrate African culture, and foster community engagement.

The decision to focus the December event on immersive holiday attractions and an expanded marketplace, rather than chef masterclasses, successfully delivered a festive, family-focused experience for visitors of all ages, with entry remaining free for the public.