The 37th Enugu International Trade Fair unfolded as a blend of resilience and reality, with Nigeria’s tough economic climate shaping both participation and perception of the annual commercial gathering.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!From the bustling stands to the relatively quieter walkways, reactions among exhibitors and visitors revealed a divided experience one defined by both cautious optimism and visible concern over declining patronage.
At the centre of it all, the Director-General of the , Uche Mba, did not shy away from acknowledging the obvious. According to him, the fair’s moderate turnout was largely a reflection of the country’s current socioeconomic realities, particularly the rising cost of living driven by increased fuel prices.
For many exhibitors, the numbers told a worrying story.
Caleb Ezenwa, representing the cosmetics division of the Ekulu Group of Companies, described his participation as fulfilling but admitted that customer traffic fell short of expectations compared to previous years. His sentiment was echoed across several stands, where business owners quietly hoped for better days.
Yet, not all feedback was critical.
Textile merchant Friday Olabisi applauded the organisation and structure of the fair but pointed to a key gap visibility. He stressed the need for more aggressive promotion through traditional media channels like radio, television, and newspapers to attract a broader audience in future editions.
On the buyers’ side, the experience painted a more comfortable picture.
Uchechukwu Ikegwuonwu, who attended to shop, highlighted the ease and convenience of making purchases within the fairground, noting it was far less stressful than navigating crowded open markets. She particularly praised the newly introduced 3,000-square-metre, fully air-conditioned exhibition tent, which added a modern and welcoming touch to the shopping experience.
For others like Solomon Ani, the fair went beyond buying and selling. He described it as a hub for ideas and innovation, offering him the opportunity to engage directly with manufacturers and discover new products and concepts.
Despite early concerns over low footfall, some exhibitors still found reasons to smile. John Udekwe, a dealer in body sprays and perfumes, admitted that while the turnout started slowly, his business managed to record modest sales by the end of the event.
Providing further insight, Mba revealed that several companies that initially committed to participating had to withdraw at the last minute due to soaring petroleum costs a development that significantly affected the scale of the fair.
Even so, he maintained that the 2026 edition showed improvement over the previous year. He pointed to fresh initiatives such as free business classes for youths and startups, daily lottery activities, and complimentary transportation as efforts that helped sustain interest and participation despite the odds.
However, the fair was not without its operational setbacks. Power outages and the high cost of diesel used to run generators posed persistent challenges for organisers throughout the event.
Held under the theme “Empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for Global Competitiveness,” the fair began on March 21 as a 10-day event. But in response to appeals from exhibitors seeking more time to boost sales ahead of Easter, organisers extended it by two extra days, bringing it to a close on April 1.
In the end, the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair stood as a reflection of Nigeria’s broader economic landscape strained, yet striving; challenged, yet undeniably resilient.