The Lagos State Government has announced plans to host the maiden edition of the Lagos Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Exclusive and Eko Round City Trade Fair, a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening grassroots enterprise, promoting inclusive growth, and empowering Lagosians.
The fair is scheduled to be held from Monday, 8th to 14th December 2025 at the National Stadium, Surulere.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose, said the fair was designed to promote social inclusion by giving visibility and dignity to grassroots entrepreneurs who are often overlooked.
She explained that the initiative will create an inclusive marketplace that supports capacity building, business growth, and inter-LGA collaboration.
“This event will bring together five vibrant Local Government Areas: Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Eti-Osa, and Apapa, including associated Local Council Development Areas such as Apapa Iganmu, Eti-Osa East, Eti-Osa West, Iru-Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Lagos Island West, Lagos Island East, Yaba, Coker Aguda and Itire Ikate, in a shared space where commerce, culture, and collaboration meet,” she said.
According to her, the concept of the Round City reflects a collective resolve to unify diverse communities—linking the energy of Lagos Island, the industrious spirit of Apapa, the vibrant heartbeat of Surulere, the bustle of Lagos Mainland, and the rapidly emerging business corridors of Eti-Osa—into one inclusive marketplace.
She noted that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial powerhouse, contributes over 30 per cent of the nation’s GDP, powered significantly by millions of small and micro enterprises across markets, streets, homes, and digital platforms.
“In 2024, the service sector, driven heavily by trade, made up over 90 per cent of Lagos’ real GDP, with trade alone accounting for more than half of that figure in the second quarter. These facts speak clearly: when MSMEs thrive, Lagos thrives. And when Lagos thrives, Nigeria advances,” she said.
Bada Ambrose described the fair as a celebration of enterprise, resilience, creativity, and community, stressing that the government is committed to giving informal and micro-enterprises access to markets and knowledge while opening pathways out of poverty for thousands of Lagos residents.
“We have created strong pathways between MSMEs and support agencies, potential investors and public-private partners, giving our entrepreneurs the linkages they need to scale. For artisans and informal-sector operators, from roadside vendors to market traders, we have ensured full inclusion, recognition, and support. The cross-LGA collaboration zone brings entrepreneurs together to exchange ideas, form partnerships, and strengthen value chains across Lagos.”
She added that the fair will lay the foundation for long-term initiatives, including the creation of a database of MSMEs and informal-sector operators across the participating LGAs to support targeted interventions.
In his remarks, the Fair Coordinator, Mr Fuad Oki, commended the Ministry for organising the event to boost the Lagos economy through grassroots enterprise. He said the fair will attract participants from across the informal sector, including artisans, food vendors, fashion designers, home décor producers, and technology service providers.
Representing the local governments and Council Development Areas, the Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Yusuf Suleiman, praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support, noting that the fair will create opportunities for MSMEs and help businesses thrive by strengthening grassroots economic activities.