Though thousands of miles separate Nigeria from Canada, the Nigerian community in Winnipeg has found a vibrant way to stay connected to home. With the Winnipeg Naija Trade Fair, Nigerians are not only preserving their rich culture—they’re putting it proudly on display. From spicy aromas to bustling stalls, the event exuded a true “Naija no dey carry last” energy, rekindling the essence of Nigerian life in a foreign land.
A Marketplace Full of Home
The fair, now in its second year since its debut in 2024, was a spectacular celebration of Nigerian enterprise and culture. Designed like the familiar marketplaces of Balogun, Onitsha Main Market, and Idumota, the event featured sections for food, fashion, jewelry, raw foodstuff, and more. The most lively? The food court—undoubtedly a crowd favorite.
Attendees were treated to the full range of Nigerian delicacies: amala with gbegiri and ewedu, ewa agoyin, oha soup, ofe akwu, and onugbu stew. Children had their own corner of fun with bouncy castles and games, while adults immersed themselves in nostalgic tastes and cultural pride.
A Vision of Community and Empowerment
The trade fair is more than a cultural fest—it’s an economic empowerment platform spearheaded by passionate Nigerians making waves in Canada.
Tolulope Adebayo, founder of Brand Parlour Communications and co-organiser of the fair, also leads the Canada-Naija Business Hub—a community with over 1,600 Nigerian entrepreneurs on WhatsApp. According to her, the fair was born from their thriving online market space.
“Our goal is to unite Nigerian-owned small businesses in Canada, create avenues for growth, and open them up to bigger opportunities,” said Adebayo. “This event allows us to move from digital connections to physical interactions, encouraging collaboration, partnership, and expansion.”
Backed by corporate sponsors like the Royal Bank of Canada and Rogers Communications, the fair recorded over 3,000 attendees this year—triple the turnout of its first edition.
From Winnipeg to Wider Canada
Adebayo emphasized the event’s growing impact: “We’re already seeing the ripple effect. Vendors were sold out before noon, and there’s a high demand for more events like this across Canada. The dream is to expand to other provinces and eventually build a Nigerian community store, where our people can walk in and buy original Naija products in real time.”
Empowering Entrepreneurs One Stall at a Time
Olubunmi Agbaje, also known as Diva and the founder of Nigerians in Winnipeg, co-organized the event with Adebayo. For her, it’s about more than sales—it’s about building confidence and visibility for Nigerian vendors.
“We train and guide them in branding, creativity, and networking. This fair is just the beginning. We’re aiming for international standards, stronger collaborations, and strategic partnerships with larger businesses,” she explained.
Tech Meets Tradition
Innovative vendors like Adebowale Onafowora, Global Team Lead at Bearers in Christ (BIC) Agritech, brought tech solutions to the fair. His business focuses on growing fresh, organic African vegetables year-round, even in the seven-month Canadian winter.
“With our home-based growth system, you can grow over 32 bunches of vegetables every four weeks using only 30 minutes of care daily,” he said. “It’s affordable, sustainable, and brings quality African produce closer to those who miss it the most.”
Taste, Tradition, and Togetherness
Mrs. Eniola Abiola of 2buddy Kitchen brought the street flavors of Lagos to life with dishes like ewa agoyin, moinmoin, akara, and tapioca. “This fair is our way of saying—wherever we are, we carry Nigeria with us,” she said with pride.
A Celebration of Culture
More than just commerce, the fair became a festival of culture. From the vibrant beats of Naija music to traditional attire, roasted corn stands, and suya stalls, everything screamed “this is Nigeria!”
“This is more than a trade fair,” Adebayo noted. “It’s a reconnection with our roots. It’s about hugs and handshakes, about laughter and shared memories. It’s about reliving the warmth of home, together.”
Looking ahead, organizers plan to welcome other cultural communities into the fold, creating a multicultural marketplace that still flies the Naija flag high.
A Future Built on Community
As the Winnipeg Naija Trade Fair grows in popularity and scale, it stands as a shining example of how diaspora communities can thrive, build wealth, and keep their identities alive.
Through unity, resilience, and cultural pride, Nigerians in Canada are building more than businesses—they’re building a legacy.
