The first Lagos International Trade Fair
Lagos International Trade Fair: History and Growth Origins (1962): Nigeria’s first international trade fair was held in 1962, the same year the country launched its inaugural National Development Plan. The event took place at the Exhibition Centre on Victoria Island, a site now occupied by Bonny Camp. Development of a Permanent Venue (1970s–1977): To establish a dedicated hub for global trade, the Nigerian government began constructing the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex in the 1970s. The complex was officially opened in 1977, coinciding with the first Lagos International Trade Fair it was built to host. Its purpose was to serve as a central hub for international commerce and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a trade leader along the West African coast. Annual Event and Organization: Since then, the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF), organized annually by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has become one of the country’s most significan...