By Bisi Bamishe
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have commended Leadway Group, one of Nigeria’s foremost non-bank financial services providers, for connecting them with new customers, boosting their visibility, and driving 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, 25 October, bringing together 100 businesses alongside consumers, lifestyle enthusiasts, content creators and celebrities. Throughout the event, vendors reported a steady flow of visitors to their booths, with many recording sales, meeting new customers and growing their social media following.
For some exhibitors, it was their first exhibition showcase, and the results exceeded their expectations, as shown by the sales they made, the new customers they met and the visibility they gained from taking part in the fair.
Speaking on the initiative, Niyi Abiola, Head, Corporate Services, Leadway Group, said the fair was created to give small businesses a platform to showcase their products and connect with consumers.
“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.
Olusakin Labeodan, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Leadway PFA speaking on behalf of Leadway Group, said the fair reflects the Group’s wider approach to building relationships with its customers beyond the financial solutions it provides.
“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 the number of participating businesses growing fourfold in a year, the Leadway Lifestyle Fair has quickly become a meeting point for Nigerian entrepreneurs and the consumers they serve. Leadway Group said it will continue to expand the platform in future editions, allowing more small businesses to reach new customers, grow their brands and celebrate the creativity that defines the Naija lifestyle.
About the Leadway Group
The Leadway Group is a diversified financial services ecosystem offering comprehensive retail and corporate non-banking financial solutions. Spearheaded by its non-operating holding entity, the Group provides a unified portfolio of cross-functional services through its market-leading associate companies: general and life insurance (Leadway Assurance), pension fund administration (Leadway PFA), corporate trusteeship and estate planning (Leadway Capital & Trusts), investment portfolio advisory (Leadway Asset Management), and health management (Leadway Health). Driven by discipline and continuous innovation, Leadway Group is committed to securing future financial freedom and health outcomes for millions of customers across West Africa.
