Minister Urges Collaboration to Drive Digital Trade and Regional Growth

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has called for stronger collaboration to accelerate digital trade and regional economic growth, emphasizing Nigeria’s readiness to lead as a gateway to West Africa.

Speaking at the 2025 Nigeria International Trade Fair in Lagos, she highlighted the country’s strategic position to harness technology-driven enterprises and expand markets across the continent. Oduwole urged stakeholders to seize the moment for collective action to build a sustainable future where digital transformation drives economic and industrial growth in Nigeria and beyond.

Organised by the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB), the 10-day event which started on November 21, 2025 to end on November 30, 2025, brought together government officials, investors, and industry leaders to promote trade, investment, and digital innovation under the theme, ‘Trade, Technology and Transformation: Leveraging Digital Economy’.

Oduwole stated that the Trade Fair symbolizes resilience in Nigeria’s economy and reinforces the nation’s unwavering commitment to growth, collaboration, and partnership.

She congratulated the leadership of the event and reaffirmed the federal government’s support in fostering an environment conducive to business growth and economic development.
Oduwole called attention to the vital role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria’s economy, congratulating local brands, private sector companies, and state regulators for their commitment to promoting Nigeria-first initiatives.

She noted that trade with other African nations increased by 14 percent in the first half of the year, signaling tremendous opportunities across the continent.

She encouraged everyone to fully leverage this platform to explore the diverse range of products, services, and innovations on display.

She expressed Nigeria’s readiness to serve as a regional hub and an accessible gateway to both West Africa and the broader African continent.

She urged participants to seize this opportunity to deepen partnerships and strengthen economies, paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for Africa.

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. A truly vibrant trade ecosystem must be inclusive, and inclusivity begins with access,” she said.

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) and many others. Their participation underscored the national relevance of the Fair as a platform for investment, business expansion, and state-level collaboration.