By Ayomide Otitoju
Ecobank Nigeria has officially flagged off the fourth edition of its Adire Lagos Exhibition Fair, a colourful and commercially driven celebration of Nigeria’s indigenous fashion heritage. The four-day event, taking place from June 5 to 8 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos, aims to promote cultural preservation while supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Open daily from 10:00 a.m., the fair features more than 130 vendors showcasing a rich array of Adire textiles, fashion accessories, and lifestyle products. The exhibition has drawn a diverse audience of fashion lovers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and abroad.
Prominent personalities in attendance include the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of the former Ekiti State Governor; Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye-Oladapo; former Ecobank Transnational Incorporated Chairman, Emmanuel Ikazoboh; Dr. Segun Aina, founding president of the FinTech Association of Nigeria; and renowned artist and gallery owner, Nike Davies-Okundaye.
Speaking at the event, Omoboye Odu, Head of Small and Medium Enterprises at Ecobank Nigeria, described the exhibition as a “dynamic blend of established brands and emerging designers who reflect innovation, cultural pride, and export potential.”
She highlighted the fair as one of Ecobank’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. “The Adire Lagos Exhibition Fair provides a zero-cost platform for SMEs to showcase their products, thereby contributing to economic empowerment and national unity,” she noted.
Last year’s edition attracted over 20,000 visitors in four days, with one vendor reportedly earning N30 million in sales—an amount equal to six months of average revenue—underscoring the fair’s commercial viability.
Exhibitors also spoke positively about the platform. Ms. Fadilat Lawal, Managing Director of Sanyaolu Trading Stores, Abeokuta, lauded the resilience and cultural value of Adire fabrics from Abeokuta. Similarly, Ms. Cynthia Uma, Creative Director of Cecesignature Unisex Clothing, Lagos, noted that Adire’s rising international appeal has significantly boosted her business revenue.
Now in its fourth edition, the Adire Lagos Exhibition Fair continues to serve as a leading forum for cultural expression and entrepreneurial growth, reaffirming Ecobank’s commitment to heritage promotion and SME development.
