By Our Reporter
The Organisers of the 2025 Eko Fiesta have unveiled plans for a three-day cultural and commercial event designed to promote Lagos as a leading hub for tourism, arts, entertainment and investment in Africa.
The event scheduled for December 22 to December 24, 2025, at the Muri-Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Convener of Eko Fiesta and Partner at Dosh and Wales Group, Dr Wale Oyebanji, made this known at a press conference, which held on Thursday at the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, Victoria Island, Lagos, describing the fiesta as more than a festive gathering, but a deliberate platform aimed at connecting celebrations with economic opportunity.
"The Eko Fiesta is an idea and a vision. The vision is to create a vibrant, inclusive hub where celebration meets commerce, a place that truly reflects the spirit of Lagos while supporting local talent and enterprise,” Oyebanji said.
Oyebanji stated that the initiative was inspired by challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora and visitors who return home during the popular "Detty December" period but struggle to find a single space that combined authentic cultural experiences, shopping, entertainment and networking.
Besides, he stated that the fiesta would bring small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) into direct contact with consumers from diverse backgrounds, helping to boost local trade and promote Nigerian-made products.
"Beyond entertainment, Eko Fiesta is designed as an economic and cultural exhibition to position Lagos as Africa’s leading destination for tourism, arts, culture, entertainment business and investment," he said.
The convener added that the event would also showcase the creativity of young Lagosians to a global audience, create networking and mentorship opportunities for young professionals and entrepreneurs, and serve as a civic platform for engagement between regulatory institutions, youths and the diaspora in a relaxed setting.
Also speaking, Divisional Head, Retail and SMEs, Wema Bank Plc, Ayodele Olojede, said the bank’s involvement in the Eko Fiesta was driven by its focus on impact, empowerment and sustainable economic growth, noting that programmes such as Eko Fiesta addressed access to markets, being one of the biggest challenges facing SMEs.
"Getting involved in an initiative like this is first and foremost about impact. It is about the people who will benefit and the value it creates across communities," she said.
She disclosed that Wema Bank had supported about 3,000 vendors by connecting them with nearly 3,000 buyers, adding that partnering with the organisers was a natural fit.
This was just as Oloyede noted that growth becomes extremely difficult without a proper outlet, growth becomes extremely difficult no matter how skilled one was, saying that partnership allowed the bank "to scale impact and create opportunities across sectors, beyond entertainment, including the creative industry and emerging businesses.
"No matter how skilled you are at producing goods or services, without a proper outlet, growth becomes extremely difficult.
"This partnership allows us to scale impact and create opportunities across sectors, beyond entertainment, including the creative industry and emerging businesses," she said.
Olojede expressed confidence in Nigeria’s future, stressing that Wema Bank remained committed to youth empowerment and long-term development initiatives, even as she further disclosed that the bank’s interventions span key growth sectors such as transportation, technology, fashion and the creative economy, which she said were critical drivers of job creation.
"From a job creation standpoint, initiatives like this stimulate growth, activate trade and help people turn ideas into reality,” she said, adding that the bank’s programmes support Nigerians across generations—from students and young professionals to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Providing insights into participation levels, one of the organisers, Oluwadamilare Osho, revealed that public interest in the event had been overwhelming, with over 10,000 people already registered online ahead of the fiesta.
“We are pushing towards 15,000 registrations. Although the Muri-Okunola Park can accommodate between 8,000 and 9,000 people at a time, we are expecting at least that number daily across the three days,” Osho said.
He also disclosed that 50 vendors had already been confirmed to showcase their products and services across commerce, culture and entertainment, noting that the strong turnout reflected growing confidence in the Eko Fiesta concept.
Special Adviser (SA) to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, in his remark, reiterated the state government’s commitment to youth empowerment through creative and cultural initiatives.
He assured stakeholders that the government would continue to support and participate in the Eko Fiesta annually.
Adding a creative industry perspective, a young fashion entrepreneur, Miss Tosky Opeifa, expressed excitement at being part of the event, saying she intended to blend European influences with local fabrics to showcase the richness and versatility of Nigerian materials.
The organisers expressed confidence that the 2025 Eko Fiesta would add significant value to Lagos’ December tourism calendar by blending culture, commerce and entertainment, while creating opportunities for SMEs, creatives and young entrepreneurs in a festive yet purposeful environment.
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