The exhibitions arena at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex (LITFC) along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, used to be the hub for the largest International Trade Fair in Nigeria.
The spectacular 10-day event usually begins on the first Friday in November of every year, since 1981 up to 1986 when the organisation of the Fair was taken over by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), from the Lagos International Trade Fair Promotion Board.
Since then, the Lagos International Trade Fair has grown tremendously in popularity to become the leading forum for Trade and Business promotion in Nigeria, and indeed Africa.
In recognition of its importance and usefulness, increasing numbers of exhibitors and visitors from all over Nigeria, and the world at large are showing keen interest in, and patronising, the Lagos International Trade Fair.
Then in 2015, the LCCI stopped hosting the Fair at the venue and moved it to the Tafawa Balewa Square in the heart of Lagos.
Specifically, in September 2015, the then Chairman, Trade Promotion Board of the LCCI, Dr. Olawale Cole, announced that the Trade Fair will be holding simultaneously at three different locations.
He further revealed thatthe general trade fair will be holding at the Tafawa Balewa Square; the Lagos Creative Industry Fairwill hold at Freedom Park; and the Business to Business Exhibition will hold at Muson Centre.
Industrial Times, recalled that the decision by the management of LCCI to have pulled out of the original location of the Fair was because it lost the concessionaires bid to the Aulic Nigeria Limited. Another factor was the perennial traffic gridlocks on the Mile 2- to the trade fair ground which made discouraging to both exhibitors and visitors to the annual fair.
Further checks by Industrial Times, showed that the first Lagos international trade fair was held in 1977 shortly after Eko Hotels and Suites was completed. It is staged every year and organized by the Trade Promotions Board and the oldest chamber of commerce in Nigeria -LCCI.
It is reputed to be the largest business market in the ECOWAS sub-region as it attracts investors from other parts of the world.
The fair is one of the major attractions of Lagos’ commercial yearly activities. Since its inception, it has grown to become the largest trade show in subsaharan Africa and has attracted both national and international entrepreneurs from over 1600 companies all over the world.
The Trade Fairs spans approximately 40, 000 meters squared of exhibited space.
The Fair which is staged with the support and co-operation of the Federal and the State Governments covers all aspects of business and economic activities in Nigeria.
It offers a unique exposition for manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and users of a wide range of goods and services as well as opportunities for investment and trade promotions.
It was initially staged at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex at Badagry Expressway, Ojo before relocating to Tafawa Balewa Square.
The Lagos International trade fair complex is a hexagonal shaped exhibition hall covered with space roof elements and shading panels, which formed a new trend in architectural innovation of its time over the years.
Organizations partnered with the fair include the National directorate of employment, Nigerian business organisations, foreign organisations and governments, ECOWAS member states, diplomatic missions and trade representatives, federal and state government-owned companies, agencies, parastatals, research and educational institutions.
Nigerian celebrities are appointed as goodwill Ambassadors as part of measures to spice up the programme and Companies are allowed to make use of side attractions to source for patronage.