The GTCO Food and Drink Festival begins in Lagos this weekend, welcoming hundreds of visitors to the GT Centre, Victoria Island.

The festival will run from today, May 2 to May 4, 2025. The food event features 11 international chefs and 204 vendors, taht will showcase Nigeria’s rich flavours and delicacies.

Since its 2016 debut, the festival has become one of Nigeria’s largest annual food events, drawing food enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike. This year, guests can look forward to live cooking sessions, a bustling market with local snacks, drinks, and gourmet treats, as well as a dedicated children’s play area, making it a family-friendly outing.

With the theme, ‘A Shared Experience’, the festival highlights Nigeria’s rich food culture while promoting local businesses.
Notable chefs who are already gracing the event include Hiroo Nagahara, Gabriel Rodriguez, Daniel Galmiche, Lasheeda Perry, and Thomas Zacharias will lead masterclasses, sharing insights and techniques across global cuisines.

Beyond the food, visitors are set to enjoy live music, cultural entertainment, and valuable networking opportunities for chefs, vendors, and food lovers.

Over the years, the festival has attracted tens of thousands, boosting the profiles of small Nigerian brands.
Speaking with Guardian Life, GTCO Group CEO, Segun Agbaje, noted that the festival reflects the company’s commitment to supporting local enterprise and celebrating cultural diversity.

The bank also organises the GTCO Fashion Weekend, which champions African creativity and fashion.

As a norm, the event which has kicked off in full flair already, will end at dusk, given vendors opportunity to meet clients and earn patronage.