Small businesses and food lovers took centre stage as Day One of the Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) Food and Drink Festival 2026 opened in Lagos, with vendors reporting strong customer turnout and growing brand visibility.

The three-day festival, holding at GTCentre, is designed as a free platform for entrepreneurs to showcase products while connecting directly with consumers.

Vendors Report Strong Early Gains

For many small businesses, the first day delivered immediate results.

Oluwadamilola, a representative of Buzz Cocktails, attending for the first time, said the event had already driven customer traffic and online engagement.

“We’ve had a lot of customers, and people are already following us on Instagram,” the representative said, rating the experience “10 out of 10”.

She added that the exposure was helping to build brand awareness, with expectations of even higher sales in the coming days.

Returning Vendors Focus on Growth

For returning participants, the festival remains a strategic marketing tool.

Segun Morountonu, General Manager of Sophisticated Wobia, said his business was using the platform to showcase its range of pastries, drinks, and cakes.

“Our goal is to create awareness and bring customers to our store. Once people taste our products, they come back,” he said.

Morountonu, participating for the second year, added that the timing of the festival during Workers’ Day could further boost sales.

Small Business Success Stories Emerge

For some entrepreneurs, the festival is proving transformative.

Dolapo Daramola, founder of Ajara Foods, said her business had experienced rapid growth since launching last year.

“We sold out within four months. Now people know us, they follow us, and they come back to buy again,” she said.

She described the festival as a critical platform for visibility.

“This is a mighty opportunity. If we had to pay for this kind of exposure, it would cost millions.”

Despite challenges such as transportation costs and sourcing materials, she said the benefits outweighed the difficulties.

Consumers Drive Demand and Experience

Attendees also highlighted the festival’s growing appeal.

Qudus Adeniji, a returning visitor, described the experience as “fantastic,” noting improvements in organisation and crowd management.

“They keep improving it every year,” he said, though he noted some minor issues with vendor interactions.

First-Time Visitors Impressed

For newcomers, the festival offered variety and discovery.

Benita said the event met her expectations.

“There are a lot of new things to try,” she said.

A Hub for Food Discovery and Families

Another attendee, Mrs Ijeoma, said the festival helps consumers connect with brands they often see online but rarely visit.

“You can discover vendors close to your home and decide to visit them later,” she said.

She also highlighted the family-friendly setup, noting improvements in comfort, organisation, and planning over the years.

Corporate Vision Meets Market Reality

The Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, Segun Agbaje, said the festival is built on connection and opportunity.

“Food connects cultures, tells stories, and creates moments that linger long after the experience itself.”

He added that the initiative supports entrepreneurs by providing free retail platforms and access to a wider audience.

“We continue to create opportunities for growth, visibility, and long-term impact.”

Why It Matters

Nigeria’s small business sector faces persistent challenges, including high operating costs and limited access to markets.

Events like the GTCO festival offer a rare opportunity for entrepreneurs to reach thousands of potential customers without the usual financial barriers.

For consumers, it provides access to a wide range of food options and emerging brands in one location.

What’s Next

With two more days to go, vendors are expecting higher turnout and increased sales, while organisers aim to sustain momentum and improve the overall experience.

Concerns over environmental injustice in Nigeria took centre stage at the Inclusive Environments Nigeria Workshop, where experts called for urgent reforms to make sustainability policies more inclusive.

The event was held in collaboration with University of Derby, University of Chester, Renevlyn Development Initiative, and the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN).

Speakers said many Nigerian communities remain excluded from decisions on projects that directly affect their land and livelihoods.

Research led by UK-based experts

The discussions were informed by a major research project led by Chantal Davies, who headed the study on inclusive environmental decision-making.

The research team also included Holly White, Kim Ross, both from the University of Chester and Eghosa Ekhator from the University of Derby.

The study examined how environmental policies can better reflect the needs of marginalised communities through inclusive frameworks.

‘EIA process is failing communities’ – Philip Jakpor

Delivering the welcome address, Philip Jakpor said Nigeria’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system is not working as intended.

“Community people are supposed to be participants in the process. Their views are supposed to matter and inform whether a project goes forward or not.”

He said, however, that the reality is different.

“What we see in Nigeria is limited or no community involvement in EIA processes and total lack of transparency on the part of project implementers.”

Jakpor added that many EIA documents are not accessible.

“There are many projects whose so-called EIA cannot even be found.”

Projects ‘forced on communities’ without consultation

According to Jakpor, communities across Nigeria, from the Niger Delta to the northern regions often face imposed projects.

“Communities hosting development projects insist that such projects are foisted on them with no prior consultations held.”

He warned that companies frequently treat EIA as a box-ticking exercise.

“Most companies only ‘inform’ communities instead of including them as stakeholders whose views matter.”

Systemic failures and weak enforcement

Jakpor also criticised weak enforcement mechanisms.

“We hardly hear of companies penalised for breach of EIA processes.”

He said poor monitoring contributes to environmental degradation across the country.

Niger Delta remains symbol of environmental injustice

Environmental advocate Eric Dooh highlighted long-standing damage in the Niger Delta.

“There has been massive environmental destruction, and companies have not taken responsibility.”

He warned that oil companies may leave without addressing environmental damage.

Legal battles reveal global dimension

Human rights lawyer Chima Williams described how affected communities sought justice abroad, including legal action against Shell.

“We faced jurisdiction battles, delays, and unequal resources but we eventually won on appeal.”

He said the case highlighted systemic issues such as corporate influence and weak regulatory enforcement.

Global research shapes inclusive framework

Speaking on the research findings, Eghosa Ekhator said the proposed Environmental Justice Framework draws lessons from Africa and Latin America.

He explained that environmental justice in African contexts focuses more on access to natural resources, while Western models emphasise pollution and climate risks.

The framework promotes:

Community participation (co-production)

Transparency in governance

Inclusion of marginalised groups

Integration of environmental and social justice

What the research shows

The study found:

Weak community engagement in environmental decision-making

Lack of transparency in project implementation

Poor enforcement of environmental laws

Absence of a consistent justice-based framework

Researchers warned that without reform, sustainability policies could worsen inequality.

Proposed solutions

Recommendations include:

A national Environmental Justice Framework

A mapping tool to track environmental inequalities

A community engagement hub

Stronger enforcement of EIA regulations

These measures aim to ensure communities are active participants not passive observers.

Why this matters

Environmental decisions directly affect millions of Nigerians, especially in resource-rich but vulnerable regions.

Experts say excluding communities risks deepening poverty, conflict, and environmental damage.

What happens next

Stakeholders are calling for immediate adoption of inclusive frameworks across government and industry.

They say meaningful change will depend on putting communities at the centre of decision-making.

SIFAX Group and its chairman, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, have won three major awards at the Maritime Industry Merit Awards 2025, recognising their contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry.

The awards ceremony, held in Lagos, saw SIFAX Group named Most Corporate Social Responsibility Friendly Company, while Dr. Afolabi received both the Lifetime Maritime Award and Maritime Man of the Year.

Organisers said the “Maritime Man of the Year” award followed a 60-day voting process involving industry stakeholders.

According to Elder Asu Beks, the recognition reflects Dr. Afolabi’s long-standing role in shaping Nigeria’s maritime sector and his vision of positioning the country as a leading maritime hub in sub-Saharan Africa.

Why it matters

Nigeria’s maritime industry plays a critical role in trade, logistics and economic growth.

Industry observers say recognising private-sector leaders could encourage further investment, innovation and improved standards across ports, shipping and logistics services.

SIFAX Group’s CSR award also highlights increasing expectations for companies to balance profit with social impact.

“A validation of decades of impact”

Receiving the awards on behalf of the chairman, Captain Ibraheem Olugbade, Executive Director at Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, said the recognition reflects sustained leadership and industry impact.

“These awards are deeply appreciated, and they serve as a strong validation of Dr. Taiwo Afolabi’s decades-long contributions to the growth and development of the maritime and logistics industry in Nigeria.”

He added that the company remains committed to innovation and sustainability:

“For us as a Group, this honour also reflects our unwavering commitment to initiatives that positively impact our communities, stakeholders and the wider society.”

L-R: Joseph Ogundiran, Corporate Communications Officer, SIFAX Group; Dr. Boniface Okechukwu, Former President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF); Captain Ibraheem Olugbade, Executive Director, Ports & Cargo (Representing Dr. Taiwo Afolabi); and Olatunde Adewola, Deputy Manager Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group displaying the triple awards won by SIFAX Group and it’s Chairman at the Maritime Industry Merit Awards(MIMA) 2025.

Industry perspective

Experts say awards like MIMA often serve as benchmarks for excellence in Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem.

They also help spotlight indigenous companies competing in a sector historically dominated by international players.

What’s next

SIFAX Group is expected to expand its footprint across logistics, aviation, and oil and gas, as demand for integrated supply chain solutions continues to grow in Nigeria.

Analysts say continued investment in infrastructure and digital logistics will be key to maintaining its competitive edge.