Small scale and medium scale business owners in Osun State have been charged to prioritise packaging and rigorous training on their businesses to make their products compete favourably in the global market.
Players in the private sector made this call on Wednesday at a press briefing heralding the 2025 Osun Trade Fair organised by the Osun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OSUCCIMA) in collaboration with the Osun State government.
The President of the Osun Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Gbolade Famoriyo, who also serves as Vice President of the National Chamber of Commerce, described the upcoming fair as a strategic platform to link local producers with global markets.
“We are here today to announce our plans and expectations for this year’s trade fair. With the full support of the state government, we believe the 2025 edition will be one of the best in the country,” he said.
He emphasized the need for infrastructural development, particularly in electricity, road networks, and rural accessibility, to enhance trade activities and reduce production costs.
”The purpose of the trade fair is to create opportunities for small, medium, and major investors. We also want to attract investors who can turn our raw materials into finished products and create value chains for our local industries,” he added
Also speaking, Engineer Gbenga Olateru, the First Vice President of OSUCCIMA, called on business owners, both large and small, to participate actively in the event.
”There is no business that is too small or too big for this fair. Our goal is to showcase Osun’s local content and potentials to Nigeria and the world. Every producer, distributor, and consultant can benefit from the exposure,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the trade fair would serve as a rallying point for entrepreneurs to network, expand their customer base, and explore investment opportunities
The Chairman of the 2025 Trade Fair Planning Committee, Mr. David Awotipe, noted that the event would highlight Osun’s economic strengths across agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and tourism sectors.
“The key thing about the 2025 trade fair is that it is designed for the private sector, innovators, educational institutions, and government agencies. The objective is to promote Osun’s industrial potential and position locally made products for the global market,” he explained.
He added that the fair would attract financial institutions, educational and research organisations, foreign investors, and diplomatic missions, creating a platform for collaboration and trade expansion.
Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunki Jenyo, emphasised the need for continuous knowledge sharing and collaboration among entrepreneurs, while also calling for strategic marketing to enable the acceptability of products from the state.
“I Just want to reiterate that if you don’t market your product, it will not sell, and this is an avenue to market your product. I was in American in September, and I was surprised to see exhibitors from all over Nigeria go to Atlanta to exibit their products. Packaging is very essential and you must showcase your businessat all times,” he said.
“I am happy that the Bank of Industry has been partner for years. I want to encourage the Chamber to approach the banks too. We want to see that the next year trade fair, we have a better partnership.”
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