Day1: GTCO Food and Drink Festival Returns to Lagos, Showcasing Nigeria’s Culinary Innovation and Enterprise

by Adeleke Olubanwo

The 9th edition of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival 2026 has commenced in grand style, transforming GTCentre in Oniru, Victoria Island into what is widely regarded as Africa’s largest culinary marketplace. Running from May 1 to May 3, this year’s festival is themed “Everything Food and Drink,” reflecting the vibrancy, diversity, and entrepreneurial strength of Nigeria’s evolving food ecosystem.

Organised by Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), the festival has grown beyond a seasonal attraction into a major cultural and economic platform. With over 200 free retail stalls nearly 90 per cent of which are first-time participants the event is providing small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) with unprecedented access to market exposure and consumer engagement.

Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, Segun Agbaje, described the initiative as a reflection of the institution’s core values. “It brings together people from different walks of life around something universal food and drink and in doing so, it breaks barriers and builds connections,” he said, noting that the removal of exhibition fees enables vendors to focus on quality, branding, and customer experience.

Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., the festival offers an expansive culinary experience, featuring traditional Nigerian delicacies, street food, pastries, premium beverages, and international cuisines. Attendees are also engaging in a series of masterclasses and live demonstrations led by both local and global culinary experts.

Highlights from the opening day included baking sessions by Dera Oluyede and Kemi Anazodo, alongside international showcases by Thailand’s Dylan Eitharong, Spain’s Begoña Rodrigo, and Italy’s Paolo Griffa. These sessions are designed to deepen culinary knowledge while fostering cross cultural exchange.

Beyond gastronomy, the festival is also advancing financial inclusion and business growth. According to GTCO’s Chief Communication Officer, Oyinade Adegite, vendors using GTCO point-of-sale terminals are eligible to access merchant loans of up to ₦30 million, providing capital support that extends well beyond the duration of the event.

The festival retains its family friendly appeal, offering a dedicated children’s play area and a variety of activities tailored to younger attendees, further broadening its community reach.

Since its inception, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival has evolved into a significant growth engine for emerging food entrepreneurs, many of whom leverage the platform for brand visibility, customer feedback, and expansion opportunities. This year alone saw more than 6,000 vendor applications, underscoring the competitive nature and growing prestige of the event.

With free entry for all attendees, the festival continues through Sunday, May 3, reinforcing its mission to democratise opportunity within Nigeria’s food industry while celebrating the unifying power of cuisine.

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