*Describes 2026 GTCO Food and Drink Festival as a demonstration that Nigeria works when Nigerians build Nigeria
*Says Nigeria’s food industry remains central to the nation’s economy
By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage– The Federal Government has been urged to partner with the private sector in developing policies that will strengthen Nigeria’s food industry ecosystem and accelerate economic development.
In a tribute to Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc over the success of the 2026 GTCO Food and Drink Festival held from May 1 to 3, the Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics LTD/GTE (AREET) called on the government to adopt GTCO successful enterprise-driven growth models capable of promoting inclusive economic transformation.
According to AREET, a Nigerian non-profit organization focused on strengthening the private and public sectors through research, ethics, and innovation, the festival brought together more than 200 vendors, ranging from informal traders to established food entrepreneurs, thereby showcasing the strength and diversity of Nigeria’s food economy.
AREET led by Chairman, Dele Kelvin Oye, described the event as more than a food fair, noting that it served as a demonstration of how private-sector investment can create opportunities for entrepreneurs, promote culture, and support economic inclusion.
“The festival brought together over 200 vendors not faceless corporations, but the beating heart of Nigeria’s informal and formal economy: the suya maker from Kano who has perfected his craft across generations; the Lagos-based pastry chef who transformed a kitchen-table hobby into a registered business; the beverage innovator experimenting with hibiscus and zobo; and the farmer from Jos whose produce reached consumers in Victoria Island,” the statement said.
AREET added that the festival featured cooking masterclasses, food tastings, mixology demonstrations, competitions, and networking opportunities designed to support entrepreneurs and expand market access.
It highlighted several aspects of the event, including the Kids Arena, Farmers Market, Indoor and Outdoor Food Courts, and Pop-Up Food Wonders, describing them as practical examples of how culture, commerce, and innovation can be integrated for economic growth.
According to AREETe, free attendance and free retail spaces for vendors demonstrated a commitment to inclusive growth and reduced barriers for small and medium-scale enterprises.
AREET stressed that Nigeria’s food industry remains central to the nation’s economy, noting that agriculture employs a significant percentage of the workforce, while food processing and retail contribute heavily to the informal sector.
It argued that the festival helped formalise informal businesses by connecting food vendors, farmers, chefs, investors, and consumers within one ecosystem.
“This is what ethical capitalism looks like. This is what corporate social responsibility means when it goes beyond philanthropy and becomes a structural economic intervention,” the statement added.
AREET urged the Federal Government and relevant agencies to study and replicate aspects of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival model, particularly in areas such as vendor incubation, vocational skills development, agricultural value-chain integration, and cultural export promotion.
It also called for greater investment in market infrastructure, transportation, cold-chain systems, and digital platforms to support farmers and food entrepreneurs across the country.
AREET further suggested that similar ecosystem-driven initiatives could be introduced in Nigeria’s textile and garment industry to revive local manufacturing and promote indigenous fashion.
Commending GTCO for the initiative, AREET said the festival had shown that Nigerian entrepreneurs, cuisine, agriculture, and culture possess strong global potential when provided with the right platform and institutional support.
“The 2026 GTCO Food and Drink Festival was not just a celebration of food. It was a demonstration that Nigeria works when Nigerians build Nigeria,” AREET concluded.
