Border Closure Threatens Lagos International Trade Fair

The Organisers of the Lagos International Trade Fair, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), have decried over the recent closure of Nigeria’s border saying it will likely disrupt the event.

According to the LCCI Director-General, Muda Yusuf, the border closure will hinder exhibitors who usually come by road from attending the fair.

Yusuf added that the chamber is in talks with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on the need to give consideration to exhibitors coming to the fair.

“We are getting a favourable response from the Customs though we are yet to get an approval, we hope they will consider it for us.

”The loss will be huge if it is not considered because, this year, we made provision for a special hall for African countries. Some of them have made payments in anticipation to participate in the fair,” the DG lamented.

The LCCI boss had earlier noted that the border closure policy of the federal government could stall the N20 trillion contributions of trade and commerce to the country’s economy if quick measures are not applied. 

The annual event scheduled to begin November 1, 2019, and lasts 10 days is the largest trade exhibition in the west and central Africa and has attracted both local and foreign exhibitors over the years since 1986 when the organisation of the Fair was taken over by LCCI.