Nigerian brands lit up New York on July 5th at the first-ever NaijaBrandChick Trade Fair and Exhibition, spotlighting Made-in-Nigeria products on a global stage. The event marked a major milestone in U.S. trade events by showcasing Nigeria’s bold rise as a hub for world-class innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
The event united passionate entrepreneurs from across Nigeria with buyers from the U.S. and North America, reinforcing Nigeria’s rising status as a hub for globally competitive brands.
Speaking at the fair in New York, Nigeria’s Consul-General, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, hailed the exhibition as a powerful testament to the richness and distinctiveness of the Nigerian spirit.
“This brand’s display is to showcase Nigeria’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, her ingenuity, resilience, and the global ambition of Nigerian brands to the world,” Jidda said.
“I want to thank you for finding time to travel from Nigeria, all over the U.S., Europe, and North America to come and display and support NaijaBrandChick to exhibit Nigerian brands that make us look very unique.
“From New York to Houston, NaijaBrandChick has once again proven that when Nigerians dare to dream, the world watches,” he said.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Consul-General, who personally toured the exhibition stalls, commended the impressive creativity on display, from bold fashion statements and organic skincare lines to authentic Nigerian cuisine and distinctive homegrown innovations.
Many of the showcased brands were founded by young women and youth-led ventures, an inspiring reflection, according to Ambassador Jidda, of Nigeria’s vibrant and enterprising new generation.
READ MORE:
- Nigeria and Trinidad & Tobago Forge Deal to Boost Trade, Tourism, and Connectivity
- Lagos Tourism Fair Sets ₦5bn Sales Goal for 2025
- Lagos Aims to Lead Africa’s Economy Through Tourism – Gov. Sanwo-Olu
He emphasised that the fair strongly aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed commitment to harnessing the diaspora as a strategic driver of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“This is what the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has been saying concerning the diaspora community.
“That is why we have in our foreign policy a place for the diaspora. So, it’s important that we, from the Consulate, will always come out to support you,” he said.
The Nigerian envoy emphasised the critical role that thriving small businesses play in building prosperous nations.
“Because of people like you, the SMEs, the small businesses that we talk about, if Nigeria can continue like this, I strongly believe businesses will make our economy very, very strong.”
He encouraged Nigerian entrepreneurs to keep pushing boundaries, telling them to “go back and tell the story at home that yes, this is the way forward.
“This is the way that we need to come and showcase our Nigerian brands and what we have to show the world.”
Jidda left the exhibitors with a charge to return in even greater numbers.
“This is the maiden one, but we believe that the next edition will be bigger and will need a bigger space. I encourage you to keep the dream alive.”
The vibrant atmosphere at the exhibition venues was filled with colourful stalls, authentic Nigerian music, tasty local delicacies, and inspiring business stories.
Amb. Abubakar Jidda and Nelly Agbogu at the NaijaBrandChick Trade Fairs and Exhibitions in New York on Saturday evening.
The trade fair is being powered by NaijaBrandChick, one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Nelly Agbogu, organiser of the trade fair, noted that the U.S. edition, held in Houston, Texas, and New York, attracted a strong turnout of exhibitors and buyers.
She described the event as “a rare opportunity for the diaspora community and American buyers to experience the diversity, quality, and creativity of Nigerian products.”
“This ranges from fashion and beauty to food, crafts, technology, and lifestyle innovations.”
Many of the exhibitors, mostly young women-led brands, spoke of how NaijaBrandChick has empowered them to expand beyond Nigeria’s borders and compete confidently in the global market.
Showcase Nigeria Through Your Lens – Join Our Open Call for Creators
Are you a photographer, videographer, or content creator passionate about capturing Nigeria’s beauty, from fashion runways and cultural festivals to tourist landmarks and local events? Our Open Call for Content Creators in Nigeria is your opportunity to get featured, collaborate, and bring authentic Nigerian stories to life. Whether you’re into travel, lifestyle, or visual storytelling, we want to see Nigeria through your eyes.
Stay informed with the latest updates on Nigeria’s travel scene by visiting the Nigeria Tourism News section on Rex Clarke Adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What was the NaijaBrandChick Trade Fair and Exhibitions?
The NaijaBrandChick Trade Fair and Exhibitions was a maiden event held in New York (and previously Houston) that brought together Nigerian business owners and their products with buyers from across the U.S. and North America, showcasing Nigeria’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit.
Who represented Nigeria at the event?
Nigeria was represented by its Consul-General, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, who spoke at the fair and toured the exhibition stalls, expressing strong support for Nigerian brands and entrepreneurs.
What types of products were showcased at the fair?
The fair showcased a diverse range of Nigerian products, including bold fashion pieces, organic skincare products, authentic Nigerian delicacies, innovative homegrown products, and other lifestyle items. Many of these brands were owned by young women and youth-led ventures.
How does this event align with Nigeria’s current government focus?
Consul-General Abubakar Jidda noted that the fair strongly aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed focus on engaging the diaspora community as a strategic force in Nigeria’s economic transformation and foreign policy.
Who was the organiser of the NaijaBrandChick Trade Fair?
The trade fair was powered by NaijaBrandChick, one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and was organised by Nelly Agbogu.
