Organisers of the 2026 National Fair on Trade, Culture and Skills for Women and Youth have inaugurated a strategic advisory board as part of preparations for the second edition of the event.

The fair is targeting 1,000 exhibitors and training for more than 1,000 youths in marketable skills.

Convener of the fair, Jeremiah Agala, performed the inauguration of the board on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the advisory board was established to provide strategic direction and mobilise stakeholders toward the successful hosting of the event scheduled for November 10 to 14.

Mr Agala said the board comprising professionals and industry leaders is expected to contribute ideas that would strengthen women and youth entrepreneurship and support policies capable of driving productivity and economic growth.

He said the organisers were targeting about 1,000 exhibitors, an increase from more than 400 exhibitors recorded at the maiden edition, while 1,000 youths would receive practical skills training in various fields.

According to him, the fair will bring together women entrepreneurs, young innovators, policymakers, development partners and investors from across the country to promote business opportunities and national development.

He called on state governments, development partners, international organisations and the private sector to partner with the organisers by sponsoring women and youths from their states to participate in the programme.

Also speaking, Titilayo Adeoye, described culture as a vital asset for promoting national unity, tourism and economic development.

Ms Adeoye said the fair would provide a platform for women and youths to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage through traditional arts and crafts, fashion, cuisine, music, dance and other creative expressions.

She urged young Nigerians to leverage the country’s cultural diversity as a source of innovation, employment and wealth creation.

Also speaking, Chinecherem Izuakor, who leads the skills component of the initiative, said the fair would expose participants to practical, market-driven skills required to thrive in today’s economy.

He listed areas of trainings to include digital technology, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, graphic design, content creation, agriculture, agribusiness, fashion, renewable energy, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and leadership.

Mr Izuakor said the initiative would also connect participants with mentors, investors, employers and business partners to enhance employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

On the trade pillar of the initiative,
Ivie Ogiemwonyi, said the fair would provide a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their products, attract investors, establish partnerships and access new markets.

She noted that many women-owned and youth-led businesses face challenges, including limited access to finance, markets and business networks despite having innovative products and services.

Ms Ogiemwonyi urged members of the strategic advisory board to leverage their professional networks to create opportunities for participating entrepreneurs.

The Focal Person, Nigeria Platform, 17th World Social Forum (WSF 2026) Coordination Team, Zainab Mohammed, said the advisory board was constituted following lessons learnt from the maiden edition of the fair.

Mr Mohammed said the board comprised experienced women drawn from politics, civil society organisations, entrepreneurship, business and other professional sectors to provide strategic guidance for the event.

She said organisers were targeting between 2,000 and 3,000 participants from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that efforts were being made to improve logistics, including the use of more indoor exhibition facilities.

Among stakeholders who pledged support for the initiative was Priscilla Utenwojo of Tecill Homes Limited.

Ms Utenwojo pledged to empower women and youths with practical skills which she said remained one of the most effective ways of reducing unemployment and improving livelihoods.

She said her “Project 300” initiative was training young Nigerians in marketing and entrepreneurship to enable them achieve financial independence.

On his part, the Executive Chairman of Black Origin Export Company, Sani Garba, stressed the need to invest in young people through skills development, describing them as critical drivers of national development.

Ms Garba urged youths to embrace unity, innovation and collaboration to build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to the country’s growth.

In her remarks, the Founder of the A-Hive Community of Women, Khadija Yusuf, commended the initiative, describing it as a platform that would enable more women to develop their skills, build successful businesses and achieve economic independence.

She encouraged women to take advantage of opportunities that promote self-development and entrepreneurship (NAN)