Shettima, Sanwo-Olu, AbdulRazaq, Uzodimma, Others to Grace 2025 NITF Opening Ceremony as Brands Converge
By Azeez Disu
The much-anticipated return of Nigeria’s premier trade platform, the Nigeria International Trade Fair (NITF), is set to be celebrated with a distinguished line-up of regional and national leaders. The grand opening ceremony at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex on Friday 21 November will witness an impressive assembly of Nigeria’s top dignitaries, underscoring the nation’s renewed vigour in regional trade, digital innovation, and economic development.
Honouring Nigeria’s pivotal role as West Africa’s economic powerhouse, the event will be officially opened by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima Mustapha, who is the Special Guest of Honour. His presence underscores Nigeria’s strategic position at the heart of intra-African trade and regional integration efforts. Joining him will be Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and Lagos State’s Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, each bringing their unique perspectives on Nigeria’s economic trajectory.
Adding a regal touch to the ceremony, His Royal Highness Brigadier General Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe, will serve as the Royal Father of the Day. Their presence signals a collective commitment to fostering a more prosperous and interconnected West Africa — a future driven by innovation, enterprise, and regional collaboration.
Leading the event as the Chief Host is Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, whose vision for a digital, industrialised Nigeria is central to the fair’s theme: “Trade, Technology and Transformation.” Her leadership highlights Nigeria’s ambition to leverage digital trade and industrial growth as engines of national prosperity.
The opening ceremony promises to be a vibrant occasion, reflecting Nigeria’s rich trade legacy and its future ambitions. As the nation re-ignites its trade torch, the event will also feature the launch of the “Reignite the Torch” Poster Challenge, inviting young Nigerian creatives to celebrate over 60 years of commerce with a design that bridges Nigeria’s historic trade roots with a vision of innovative enterprise.
With over 10,000 visitors expected from across Africa and beyond and several brands on display, the Nigeria International Trade Fair 2025 is more than an exhibition — it is a bold declaration of Nigeria’s resolve to lead West Africa into a digitally connected, industrialised future. The presence of these esteemed dignitaries exemplifies Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to regional growth, economic resilience, and international cooperation.
As Nigeria continues to forge ahead with strategic reforms and expanding intra-African trade, this landmark event marks a new chapter in the nation’s journey — one where tradition meets innovation, and legacy fuels ambition. The world watches as Nigeria prepares to reclaim its position at the forefront of Africa’s economic renaissance.
The trade fair holds from 21 to 30 November 2025, at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.