Organizers of the Eko Fiesta say the three-day event, scheduled to hold from December 22 to December 24, will create a vibrant platform where culture, commerce, and entertainment intersect, offering new opportunities for small businesses, creatives, and young entrepreneurs in Lagos.
The free event is positioned as an inclusive hub that reflects the spirit of Lagos while supporting local talent and enterprise. According to the organisers, the initiative is designed to give small-scale entrepreneurs direct access to consumers from diverse backgrounds, helping to boost trade, brand visibility, and business growth during the peak festive season.
They noted that while Lagos is known for its December concerts and social events, there has been a gap for platforms that intentionally blend celebration with economic purpose. Eko Fiesta, they said, was created to bridge that gap by combining entertainment with opportunities for commerce, networking, and enterprise development.
Beyond entertainment, the event is expected to function as an economic exhibition aimed at attracting foreign direct investment and strengthening Lagos’ positioning as Africa’s hub for tourism, arts, culture and the entertainment business. Organisers said the fiesta will showcase the city’s creative economy while highlighting its potential as a destination for investment and cultural exchange.
The initiative was inspired by challenges often faced by Nigerians in the diaspora and visiting tourists during the festive season, particularly the lack of a one-stop space that brings together culture, shopping and networking. The fiesta is expected to showcase young creatives, facilitate mentorship and collaboration, and provide a civic platform for engagement among youths, members of the diaspora and development-focused institutions.
State government representatives at the event reaffirmed their commitment to supporting youth empowerment through cultural initiatives, describing platforms such as Eko Fiesta as critical to unlocking opportunities in entertainment, creative arts and culture-driven enterprises. They assured that the government would continue to support and participate in the fiesta in subsequent years.
Financial sector stakeholders also highlighted the importance of the event for SME growth, noting that their participation reflects a strong commitment to youth and small business empowerment. They said support teams would be available throughout the three-day event to engage customers and address a range of financial needs, particularly for entrepreneurs seeking to scale or formalise their businesses.
Young entrepreneurs participating in the fiesta expressed optimism about the platform, describing it as an opportunity to showcase Nigerian craftsmanship, blend local creativity with global influences and connect directly with new customers.
Organizers said Eko Fiesta represents a broader effort to use culture as a driver of economic inclusion, youth employment and sustainable enterprise development, particularly for small businesses operating within Lagos’ fast-growing creative economy.
