In a renewed push to accelerate the growth of small businesses across the country, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has formally announced the 2025 edition of its flagship Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Fair. The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the association’s headquarters—NECA House—located in the Central Business District of Ikeja, Lagos.
With the theme, “Galvanising MSMEs for Economic Growth and Stability,” this year’s fair is designed to provide small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with critical tools, resources, and strategic linkages essential for navigating Nigeria’s evolving economic terrain. NECA stated that the fair would play a pivotal role in promoting a conducive regulatory framework while creating opportunities for enterprise development, innovation, and sustainability.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, NECA’s Director-General, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, described MSMEs as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, adding that their contribution to job creation, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth cannot be overstated. He remarked that the fair is tailored to provide practical solutions for small business operators dealing with a myriad of challenges ranging from harsh economic realities to policy inconsistency, regulatory bottlenecks, and the difficulty of scaling up.
Highlighting a major attraction of this year’s event, Mr. Oyerinde revealed that the keynote address would be delivered by Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, the Chief Executive Officer of FATE Foundation. A renowned champion of entrepreneurial development, Adeyemi is expected to share compelling insights and innovative strategies aimed at sustaining and expanding MSME operations in Nigeria, particularly in sectors facing systemic challenges.
Another distinctive aspect of the fair is the introduction of interactive dialogue sessions between entrepreneurs and representatives from key regulatory agencies. These sessions will offer participants the opportunity to engage directly with officials from institutions responsible for licensing, tax administration, business registration, and compliance matters. According to NECA, the goal is to demystify bureaucratic procedures and strengthen trust between regulators and business owners.
The fair is also set to serve as a vibrant marketplace for networking and commercial exposure, allowing MSMEs to showcase their products and services to a wide audience, including potential investors, development partners, and other stakeholders in the Nigerian business ecosystem. Participants will also receive targeted insights on leveraging digital tools, improving access to finance, and deploying sustainable growth strategies in a post-pandemic economic landscape.
NECA noted that the 2025 MSME Fair aligns with its core mission of driving enterprise competitiveness and building economic resilience through private sector-led initiatives. “By equipping entrepreneurs with relevant knowledge and strategic support, we are laying the foundation for a more stable, job-rich, and innovation-driven economy,” the association affirmed.
The event is expected to attract a cross-section of actors from both public and private sectors, including tech innovators, financial institutions, policy experts, and industry leaders—all united in a shared vision to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s MSME sector.
