Entrepreneurs gain export skills at Lagos Mainland Trade Fair

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) played a key role at the maiden edition of the Lagos Mainland Trade Fair, where it took bold steps to enhance the export capabilities of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

At the fair, Senior Trade Officers Nancy Okpa and Olamide Olatunde of NEPC trained vendors on international trade procedures. Entrepreneurs were taught the step-by-step processes of exportation and gained valuable insights into the importance of adhering to international standards and compliance requirements.

Monalisa Abimbola Aze, a lawyer turned entrepreneur and founder of Mona Matthews, curated the event. She expressed gratitude for NEPC’s support in empowering entrepreneurs with the tools to access global markets.

According to her, “Vendors will be more confident and equipped to navigate the exportation process. Through exportation, entrepreneurs can expand their businesses and access the global market.” Olori Janet Afolabi, media personality and Queen of Apomu Kingdom, who collaborated with Aze on the fair, commended NEPC for promoting non-oil exports as a strategy to shield Nigeria’s economy from the volatility of oil prices. “Through efforts like this, there will be increased foreign exchange earnings,” she remarked.

The fair also attracted the participation of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), whose officials sensitised entrepreneurs on the importance of product registration for both local and international acceptance.

The two-day event, held on September 6 and 7 in Lagos featured about 100 diverse vendors who showcased their goods and services to a large, enthusiastic audience.

Among the guests was renowned gospel artist Tope Alabi, whose presence added colour to the fair.

Aze described the fair as a huge success, saying, “I am overwhelmed by the outcome of the event. We are grateful for the enthusiasm from vendors who displayed their products and services with passion. This fair has shown that with determination and hard work, we can create lasting impact and opportunities for the growth and expansion of businesses.”

Echoing her sentiment, Afolabi said the turnout exceeded her expectations. “It was incredible to see entrepreneurs come together to celebrate enterprise and innovation. The energy was amazing. We look forward to building on this momentum,” she said.

For many vendors, the fair was both rewarding and transformative. Enobong Ezekiel, CEO and founder of Coreal8, shared his experience: “I am honoured to have been a part of this experience. I was able to connect with many customers and partners. The organisers did an incredible job of creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere that allowed us to showcase our services.”

The Lagos Mainland Trade Fair not only showcased the ingenuity of Nigerian entrepreneurs but also reinforced the importance of export readiness in unlocking new opportunities for economic growth.