The Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal (Abisogun II), has unveiled the maiden Oniru Business and Cultural Day alongside the launch of the Iru Business Network, a platform linking culture, commerce, and community development in Iruland, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The initiative, announced at a Lagos news conference, provides a structured framework for sustained engagement among traditional institutions, businesses, government agencies, and residents amid Iruland’s rapid urban and commercial growth.
Oba Lawal said the platform responds to calls for a credible mechanism that moves beyond dialogue to tangible action. “The Iru Business Network builds bridges between culture, commerce, and community development. It provides a trusted space for traditional institutions, private sector actors, and government to engage transparently and constructively,” he said. He added that the palace will serve as a stabilising anchor, ensuring development aligns with shared values and community cohesion.
The flagship Oniru Business and Cultural Day is scheduled for February 14, 2026. It will bring together indigenous and expatriate businesses, MSMEs, creatives, artisans, entrepreneurs, corporate organisations, and development partners. The event will feature exhibitions, enterprise showcases, business dialogues, networking sessions, and cultural performances, highlighting both Oniru heritage and Iruland’s diversity.
The initiative is part of the kingdom’s #LeGIT Let’s Grow Iruland Together vision, promoting inclusive, people-centred, and sustainable growth. It aims to connect economic opportunities to community needs and position Iruland as a destination for responsible investment.
The programme has received support from the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, aligning with the state’s private sector development agenda. Commissioner Folashade Ambrose described it as a strategic intervention that strengthens the interface between culture and commerce and provides a platform for businesses to address practical issues such as compliance, access to finance, tourism, digital adoption, and youth employment.
The Iru Business Network will maintain a directory of businesses, host periodic forums, and facilitate structured engagement between enterprises and government agencies. Oba Lawal emphasised that the palace would not act as a regulator but as a neutral convener, providing a transparent environment for collaboration while preserving traditional authority.
Beyond the flagship event, the Network will operate year-round with a dedicated website and digital channels for registration, information sharing, and follow-up. A joint Oniru–Ministry of Commerce partnership desk is also planned to ensure continuity and measurable outcomes.
Stakeholders, including indigenous and expatriate businesses, have been invited to register, participate in the Business and Cultural Day, and join the Network as partners in driving inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in Iruland.
