The Lagos State Government has partnered the Lagos Island Connect, LIC, to organise the maiden edition of the Lagos Island Business Fair scheduled to hold from 24th to 27th November at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos Island.

Speaking at a news briefing to announce the programme, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Dr. Lola Akande, described the Fair as well thought-out for it bears direct relevance to the clarion call of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olus T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of transforming and positioning the State for the 21st Century Economy.

Her words: “LI-BIZ-FAIR is as a one-of-a-kind event designed to encourage the promotion of business and social enterprise among Entrepreneurs – particularly the Youths, create opportunities to identify comparative advantages present in Lagos Island and strengthen bottom up growth for continuous business interaction and socio-economic security, as it will also provide training opportunities for MSMEs in Business Education, Networking and Leadership qualities during the masterclass sessions.

Akande noted that the State considers the Fair important because while it focuses on all MSMEs in Lagos Island in particular and Lagos State/Nigeria in general, it is giving special attention to youth entrepreneurs.

According to her, the Lagos Island Business Fair falls into the category of other similar events in which the administration, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, collaborated to ensure exposure of our MSMEs to the outside world.

She assured that the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu will work towards implementing the initiative as a yearly programme.

Speaking earlier, the co-Founder, Lagos Island Connect which initiated the Fair, Yemi Ransome-Kuti stated that its organisation, with the support of stakeholders, birthed the idea of a fit-for-purpose socio-economic model that is designed to meet both the present and future needs of businesses and youth population in the Lagos Island Area in particular and Lagos State at large.

According to her, the idea of the Lagos Island Business Fair 2022 originated from the Needs Assessment Survey conducted by LIC. The Fair is a logical platform that will be leveraged to launch and introduce the various concepts to the wider audience and policy makers, saying the Fair aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and Artisans in Lagos Island with business education and networking opportunities to learn effective, professional organisational styles and leadership qualities.

Ransome-Kuti commended Lagos State Government for the great support it is providing MSMEs in the State and for supporting the Fair.

Im her words, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration is doing very well to empower the MSMEs but most of the young businesses are not aware, so, this event will provide opportunity for such businesses to further gain access to the market and tap from the numerous opportunities being provided by the State Government.

She further stated that the aim is to replicate the Fair in the twenty Local Government Areas and the thirty-seven Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the State as she expressed her believe that such will serve as a great opportunity to boost the economy of Lagos State and the lives of emerging entrepreneurs and skilled workers.

This is contained in a statement made available by Head of Public Affairs Unit
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Adewale Akodu.