Nigerian small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) showcased a wide range of products at the maiden NaijaBrandChick Trade Fair and Exhibitions in New York on Saturday, as part of a broader effort to engage the diaspora and connect Nigerian businesses with international buyers.

The trade fair, organised by NaijaBrandChick, featured exhibitors from Nigeria and other parts of the world and included stalls for fashion, skincare, food, crafts, and other lifestyle products. It followed an earlier edition held in Houston, Texas, from June 27 to 29.

Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York, Abubakar Jidda, said the exhibition was an opportunity to highlight the role of Nigerian entrepreneurs in global commerce and reflect what he called “the vibrancy of Nigerian enterprise.”

“This brands display is to showcase Nigeria’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, her ingenuity, resilience and global ambition of Nigerian brands to the world,” Jidda said.

He noted that many of the exhibiting companies were youth-led and women-owned, describing this as reflective of emerging trends in Nigeria’s business environment. Jidda also emphasised the importance of supporting such platforms, particularly within the diaspora.

“This is what the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has been saying concerning the diaspora community,” he said. “That is why we have in our foreign policy a place for the diaspora. So it’s important that we, from the consulate, will always come out to support you.”

Jidda toured the stalls and interacted with exhibitors, urging them to continue promoting Nigerian-made products and services abroad. He encouraged participants to expand their reach and continue building connections that benefit the national economy.

“Because of people like you, the SMEs, the small businesses that we talk about, if Nigeria can continue like this, I strongly believe businesses will make our economy very, very strong,” he said.

He added that future editions of the trade fair should aim for broader participation. “This is the maiden one but we believe that the next edition will be bigger and will need a bigger space. I encourage you to keep the dream alive.”

Nelly Agbogu, founder of NaijaBrandChick and organiser of the event, said the trade fair provided a platform for Nigerian business owners to access international exposure and new markets.

“The event created a rare window for the diaspora community and American buyers to experience the diversity, quality and creativity of Nigerian products,” Agbogu said. “This ranges from fashion and beauty to food, crafts, technology and lifestyle innovations.”

Several entrepreneurs at the event shared how participation in NaijaBrandChick fairs had supported their expansion beyond local markets and helped them build relationships with global buyers.

The New York edition concluded on July 5, following the Houston event in June. According to the organisers, the trade fair is designed to be an annual platform connecting Nigerian entrepreneurs with global opportunities.