Leadway, Nigeria’s leading non-banking financial and wellbeing conglomerate, has announced the second edition of the Leadway Lifestyle Fair.
According to a statement on Wednesday, the announcement followed a recent stakeholder engagement at L’eola Hotel, Leadway’s hospitality subsidiary in Maryland, Lagos.
The statement explained that the session brought together small and medium enterprises (SME) stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and media professionals across the business, brand, entertainment, creative and lifestyle sectors, as Leadway shared the vision for the 2026 edition of the fair and the opportunities it seeks to create for participating businesses.
It also announced that entries for participating SMEs opened from Monday, 31 August 2026, via Leadway Group’s official social media platforms.
It added that Leadway Lifestyle Fair 2.0 is scheduled to hold on 24 and 25 October 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria.” The two-day fair will build on the foundation established by its inaugural
edition in 2025, with an expanded focus on the intersection of enterprise, culture and everyday Nigerian lifestyle. With entries already open, SMEs interested in participating in the 2026 edition will be able to indicate their interest through Leadway’s official page, beginning the process of selecting businesses that will showcase their products, services and experiences at the fair.
It said: “With its core focus on SMEs, the Lifestyle Fair will bring businesses and consumers together in an engaging environment designed to support product discovery, direct interaction and meaningful market connections. Participating businesses will have opportunities to showcase their products and services, sell, reach new audiences, and engage directly with the consumers.
Speaking on the initiative on behalf of the Leadway Group, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Leadway PFA, Olusakin Labeodan, highlighted the important role of SMEs in economies and the need to create more opportunities that enable them drive the growth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment, locally and globally.
He said: “In Nigeria, SMEs account for about 48% of the economy, underscoring their critical role in driving enterprise, employment and economic activity. Supporting these businesses, therefore, must go beyond providing financial solutions.
“The first edition demonstrated the value of creating that connection in a physical space, and this year, we are taking it further by bringing enterprise and the richness of the Nigerian lifestyle together. It is an opportunity to celebrate the businesses, and experiences that shape how we live, while creating meaningful avenues for businesses to connect, engage and grow.”
Leadway’s Brand and Communications Manager, Niyi Abiola said: “The Lifestyle Fair is an evolution of a journey that began with the Leadway Media Dash initiative where Leadway’s media assets were deployed to give emerging businesses. What started as a media support platform has evolved into the Leadway Lifestyle Fair, a platform where businesses can showcase their products, connect directly with consumers, and create real opportunities for growth.”
According to the statement, for Leadway, the engagement reflects its broader approach to SME support, which includes creating platforms for dialogue, visibility and stronger connections between businesses, consumers, and other stakeholders within the enterprise ecosystem.
“Leadway is a financial services group with a strong market presence and expertise in insurance, pensions, asset management, trusteeship, and investment solutions.
“Since 1970, Leadway has grown from a traditional insurer into a broad-based platform with interests across general and life insurance, pensions, wealth management, health insurance, and hospitality.
“For more than five decades, the Group has been known for reliability, integrity, innovation, and strong governance. It provides solutions that help individuals and institutions protect, grow, and transfer wealth. Today, Leadway oversees a portfolio of businesses and is considered one of Nigeria’s most trusted and resilient financial services groups,” the statement added.
