– At least 2,000 attend historic Muslim Lifestyle Exhibition
– MTN Nigeria leads corporate support as Flour Mills, Noor Takaful, Marble Capital, Amaanah Finance, Lotus Capital, Stecs, Elite Pillars, Zirro back landmark event
– Organizers plan bigger for TRF 2.0
As Muslims across Lagos prepared for the holy month of Ramadan, the maiden edition of Ramadan Trade Fair (RTF 1.0) has set a new benchmark for community-focused events, drawing over 2,000 attendees to JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja on February 15, 2026.
The groundbreaking event, described as Lagos’s first large-scale Muslim lifestyle and trade exhibition, brought together over 110 vendors, corporate sponsors, thought leaders, and thousands of Muslim families under one roof for a day of shopping, learning, networking, and community bonding.
RTF 1.0 was conceived with a simple yet powerful vision: to make Ramadan preparation easier for Muslim families. From household essentials to fashion, food items, health products, and children’s needs, attendees had access to a wide variety of goods and services from Muslim-owned businesses, all in one location.
The event enjoyed strong corporate backing, with MTN Nigeria coming on board as a Gold Sponsor. MTN’s partnership underscored the telecommunications giant’s commitment to community engagement and its recognition of the significance of Ramadan to millions of Nigerian Muslims.
Other corporate partners who contributed to the success of RTF 1.0 include Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading food and agro-allied companies; Alt Bank, a digital-first financial institution; Marble Capital Limited, a prominent investment firm; and Amaanah Finance Company, a non-interest finance provider, among others. Together, these organisations demonstrated a shared commitment to empowering the Muslim community.
Adding to the event’s appeal was the involvement of popular social media influencer Oyza, who served as the Face of RTF 1.0. Oyza’s massive online following and authentic connection with the Muslim community helped drive awareness and excitement in the weeks leading up to the event, with her promotional content reaching hundreds of thousands of people across Instagram and TikTok.
The event was expertly anchored by dynamic duo TheOnlyMaleek and SaleemtheMC, whose energetic and engaging delivery kept the crowd entertained throughout the day. Their seamless coordination of the programme ensured smooth transitions between shopping, stage activities, and enlightenment sessions.
A key feature of RTF 1.0 was its lineup of enlightenment sessions, designed to address the spiritual, health, and economic needs of attendees ahead of Ramadan.
Dr Isa Abdul-Mujeeb, Managing Director of My Friend Hospital, delivered an insightful talk on “Ramadan and Health”, educating attendees on how to maintain optimal health while fasting. His practical tips on nutrition, hydration, and managing chronic conditions during Ramadan resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom took notes and asked follow-up questions.
Renowned relationship expert Dr Bushrah Okeowo Bombata, popularly known as Mrs Bomb, captivated the audience with her session on “Marital Life Before and After”. Drawing from years of experience counselling couples, she shared wisdom on building stronger marriages and navigating the unique dynamics that Ramadan brings to family life.
Entrepreneur and business coach Mrs Mutiat Olagoke inspired the crowd with her talk on “Building a Startup”. Her session was particularly relevant to the many small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs among the vendors and attendees, offering actionable insights on scaling businesses and overcoming common challenges.
Beyond the enlightenment sessions, RTF 1.0 offered a rich array of activities that catered to all age groups. Attendees benefited from free medical checkups provided by healthcare professionals on-site. Children were treated to a dedicated kids funfair complete with games and entertainment, while adults participated in halal games, a Quran competition, and networking sessions that fostered new business relationships and community bonds.
The atmosphere at JJT Park was electric, with families arriving as early as 9am and staying well into the evening. Vendors reported brisk sales, with many expressing satisfaction at the quality of foot traffic and the purchasing power of attendees. The event provided a platform for Muslim-owned businesses to showcase their products and services to a highly targeted audience.
Speaking on the success of the event, the Convener of RTF 1.0, Abdurrahman O. Olaleye PMP, said: “What we witnessed on Sunday was history in the making. RTF 1.0 was born out of a simple vision — to make Ramadan easier for Muslim families by bringing everything they need under one roof. Seeing over 3,000 people come together to shop, learn, and connect in preparation for the blessed month is a dream come true. This is not the end; it is only the beginning of something much bigger. Beyond RTF, we are actively working on more initiatives designed to serve the Muslim community and improve their everyday lives. The Ummah deserves platforms that cater to their unique needs, and we are committed to building them.”
The Project Lead, Sekinat Azeez, reflected on the journey: “Months of planning, countless sleepless nights, and unwavering faith brought us to this moment. The energy at JJT Park was beyond anything we imagined. Families came with their children, vendors made great sales, and the feedback has been overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to everyone who believed in this vision and showed up to support — from our sponsors to our volunteers to every single attendee.”
Umar Salami, Head of Sponsorship, expressed gratitude to the corporate partners: “We are immensely grateful to MTN Nigeria for leading the charge as our Major Sponsor. Their belief in RTF 1.0 gave us the momentum we needed. We also thank Flour Mills of Nigeria, Alt Bank, Marble Capital, and Amaanah Finance for their invaluable support. These partnerships demonstrate that corporate Nigeria recognises the importance of engaging with the Muslim community, and we look forward to even greater collaborations for RTF 2.0.”
Looking Ahead to RTF 2.0
The overwhelming success of RTF 1.0 has set the stage for an even bigger and better second edition. Organisers have confirmed that RTF 2.0 is already in the works, with plans for a larger venue, more vendors, expanded programming, and wider corporate participation. Early indications suggest that several sponsors and vendors have already expressed interest in being part of the next edition.
RTF 1.0 has proven that there is a significant appetite for well-organised, family-friendly events that cater specifically to the needs of the Muslim community. As Ramadan approaches, the memories of Sunday’s gathering will linger — a testament to what is possible when vision, community, and corporate support come together.
