Ecobank Nigeria empowers businesses through ‘Oja Oge’ initiative

Ecobank Nigeria, through its innovative initiative, ‘Oja Oge,’ is empowering businesses to contribute meaningfully to economic growth.

Designed as a one-stop marketplace, ‘Oja Oge by Ecobank’ focuses on fashion, beauty and lifestyle enterprises, providing a vibrant platform for local vendors to showcase their products and reach a wider audience.

The fair not only offers an opportunity for vendors to sell but also serves as a hub of premium entertainment, combining commerce with culture and creativity. The initiative creates space for businesses to thrive by fostering visibility, connections, and access to new markets.

Speaking at a press conference during the ongoing Oja Oge event in Lagos, Omoboye Odu, head of SMEs, partnerships and collaboration at Ecobank Nigeria, shared insights into the vision behind the initiative. She noted that the inaugural edition held last year was a success, and the current fair, which is free to attend, continues to build on that foundation by offering vendors and attendees alike a space to network and engage.

“Oja Oge is more than just buying and selling,” she said. “It is an opportunity to explore and experience the creativity, luxury, and diversity of current fashion and lifestyle trends, all while enjoying a rich blend of music, food, and entertainment.”

The three-day fair will feature over 150 exhibitors, showcasing cutting-edge designs in pan-African and Afro-trendy fashion. In addition to fashion and beauty, the fair includes entertainment zones such as ‘Gameland’ for adults, a ‘Kid Zone’ for children, and ‘Books by Omolara.’ There is also a dedicated beauty parlour for women, along with exciting prize giveaways throughout the event.

Oja Oge aims to promote African craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation while strengthening the local economy by highlighting and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Attendees will also be treated to live folk music performances, adding a rich cultural dimension to the experience.

The event runs from April 18 to April 20 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), a 2,000-square-meter exhibition space located in Lagos. Activities begin daily at 10:00 AM and are open to all members of the public.

Ecobank expects the event to attract Nigerians from all walks of life, alongside Africans and non-Africans, especially those with a passion for fashion, culture, and creativity.

Ecobank is also a major supporter of Nigeria’s creative economy. The bank actively promotes tourism, culture, and the creative arts as part of its broader Pan-African mission to foster artistic expression and economic empowerment across the continent. It recognizes the creative industry as a powerful engine of economic development, cultural richness, and global connectivity.

Through initiatives like Oja Oge, Ecobank continues to support Nigeria’s creative talents and entrepreneurs, reinforcing its role as not just a financial institution, but also a catalyst for inclusive growth and cultural advancement.