The Lagos State Government has unveiled a three-day market fair to empower and connect about 300 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with customers, business support services and new market opportunities.
The Access to Market Fair, tagged “Lagos on Display”, was organised by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), under the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, at JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja.
The fair featured product exhibitions, discounted sales, on-the-spot loan applications and enrolment into the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, Ilera Eko, giving entrepreneurs opportunities to showcase their products and access support.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, said the initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to build and grow sustainable businesses.
Represented by the Director of Employment in the ministry, Shitta Demilola, the commissioner said the government remained focused on enterprise development, skills acquisition, employment generation and sustainable wealth creation.
He disclosed that LSETF has so far disbursed more than ₦15 billion to over 10,000 businesses, demonstrating the government’s continued investment in the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Ajigbotafe said the Access to Market initiative was designed to complement financial support by helping businesses move from production to visibility, sales and long-term growth.
Also speaking, LSETF Executive Director, Feyisara Alayande, represented by the Director of Programmes, Oyindamola Egbeyemi, said the fair was designed to showcase the quality, diversity and innovation of products and services developed by Lagos-based entrepreneurs.
She encouraged residents to patronise locally made products, noting that increased patronage would strengthen businesses, stimulate economic activity and create employment opportunities.
“We appreciate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for creating the opportunity for LSETF and the ministry to continue supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, which remain the drivers of the state’s economy,” she said.
Alayande said the initiative recognised that access to finance alone was not enough to sustain businesses, stressing the importance of connecting entrepreneurs with customers and markets.
“This is a market stimulation initiative because we recognise that it is not enough to provide loans. Businesses also need access to markets. Lagos is the best market in the world, and we want entrepreneurs to start in Lagos and grow beyond the state,” she said.
The fair also provided entrepreneurs with opportunities to interact with potential customers, promote their products and explore services that could support the growth of their businesses.
In her goodwill message, the Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adenike Oshinowo, reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to policies and initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and strengthen the state’s business environment.
She said the Assembly would continue to collaborate with the executive to build an ecosystem where innovation is rewarded, enterprise is encouraged and promising businesses are given opportunities to succeed.
The state government said the initiative forms part of its broader efforts to strengthen MSMEs, expand economic opportunities and promote sustainable wealth creation across Lagos.