How GTCO Food and Drink Festival Is Powering SME Expansion — Ayoola, Teeriel Foods
The 2025 GTCO Food and Drink Festival (Holiday Edition), held at the weekend in Lagos, has once again underscored its growing reputation as a vital platform for supporting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria’s food sector, with established and emerging brands alike praising its impact.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Joy Bakare, Head of Marketing at Ayoola Foods, said the festival continues to play a strategic role in boosting brand visibility and sales for food businesses.
“We are happy to be here to amplify awareness about our brands to Nigerians and also offer our products at discounted rates,” Bakare said. “Ayoola products are not new in the market; we have been in the business for over 30 years, and we have been part of this programme from the very first edition.”
According to her, the Holiday Edition recorded an impressive turnout, with noticeable improvements in organisation and space. “This edition is better. The halls are expanded, and the experience as a vendor is beautiful. We love it here,” she noted.
Bakare emphasised that the GTCO Food and Drink Festival stands out because it allows vendors to exhibit at no cost. “For similar exhibitions, you have to pay, but this one is free for vendors. This is greatly helping SMEs and entrepreneurs to showcase their offerings, make sales and grow in the process,” she said.
She added that Ayoola Foods remains committed to quality, affordability and nutrition. “We are very strong on quality and price. Our foodstuffs are very nutritious, and we are known for the best poundo yam powder, alongside our other powdered food products,” Bakare stated.
Also speaking, Founder of Teeriel Food Hubs, Mrs Temitayo Abbey Ojekemi, described the GTCO festival as a timely and impactful initiative for growing brands focused on healthy living.
“We are a growing brand. We offer pure elubo isu (yam flour) that is not adulterated, alongside fufu flour, oat flour for swallow, and many healthy food options,” she said. “Healthy living is our core, and our foods support people managing diabetes, blood pressure, weight issues and those who prefer organic options.”
Ojekemi said entrepreneurship in Nigeria comes with mixed realities. “There are two sides. Some things are working, while others can be better. As an entrepreneur, you are expected to handle both the good and the bad, and we are enjoying both sides,” she said.
She identified the GTCO Food and Drink Festival as one of the platforms helping SMEs to thrive. “This 2025 Holiday Edition is a great platform and very helpful. The Lagos Food Hub in Mushin was another great initiative we participated in, and we appreciate such efforts,” she said, calling for more supportive platforms across the country.
While commending the organisers, Ojekemi also appealed for broader structural support. “Soft loans and grants from government will help SMEs so we don’t lose so much to loan servicing,” she said, adding that future editions could be improved by removing demarcations and making the venue a single open space.
For Teeriel Food Hubs, the 2025 festival marked its first appearance at the GTCO event. “It’s our first edition here, and it’s looking good already. We were here on Saturday and Sunday. We have been in business for three years and we are growing,” she added.
The 2025 GTCO Food and Drink Festival (Holiday Edition) brought together hundreds of food brands, chefs and consumers, reinforcing its role as a key driver of visibility, sales and growth for Nigerian SMEs in the food value chain.
