SMEs Commend Leadway For Boosting Business Growth At Lifestyle Fair

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have commended Leadway Group for providing them with opportunities to attract new customers, increase brand visibility and boost sales at the recently concluded Leadway Lifestyle Fair 2026.

The second edition of the fair, themed “For the Love of the Naija Lifestyle,” ended on Sunday, October 25, with 100 businesses participating alongside consumers, lifestyle enthusiasts, content creators and celebrities.

Exhibitors at the event said the platform provided valuable opportunities to showcase their products, interact directly with potential customers and expand their businesses. Many vendors reportedly recorded sales, attracted new customers and increased their social media followership during the fair.

Some of the participating businesses, particularly first-time exhibitors, said the experience exceeded their expectations, citing the sales generated and the exposure gained through their participation.

Speaking on the initiative, the Head of Corporate Services, Leadway Group, Niyi Abiola, said the fair was established to provide small businesses with a platform to showcase their products and connect with a wider consumer market.

He said the growth in participation from about 25 vendors at the inaugural edition to 100 businesses this year demonstrated the increasing acceptance and impact of the initiative.

“Lifestyle is an important part of how people live, connect and engage with the world around them. With the Leadway Lifestyle Fair, we wanted to create more room for businesses to showcase what they do and reach more people.

“Having grown from about 25 vendors in our first edition to 100 this year, we are encouraged by the response and look forward to making the experience even bigger in the years ahead,” Abiola said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Leadway PFA, Olusakin Labeodan, who spoke on behalf of Leadway Group, said the fair reflected the organisation’s broader commitment to building lasting relationships with customers beyond its traditional financial services offerings.

According to him, the initiative underscores the importance of engaging customers through platforms that connect businesses, consumers and their everyday lifestyle experiences.

“The growth of the fair from its first edition to this year’s event shows the value of creating platforms that bring businesses and consumers together.

“At Leadway, our relationship with customers goes beyond the financial solutions we offer across insurance, pensions, wealth management, trusteeship, health and hospitality. We also recognise the importance of being part of their everyday experiences, and lifestyle is a significant part of that,” Labeodan said.

With participation increasing from 25 vendors at its maiden edition to 100 this year, the Leadway Lifestyle Fair is positioning itself as a platform for promoting entrepreneurship, supporting small businesses and showcasing Nigerian creativity.

Leadway Group said it would continue to expand the initiative in subsequent editions to provide more SMEs with opportunities to access new markets, strengthen their brands and connect with consumers while celebrating the creativity and diversity of the Nigerian lifestyle.