…As 19 Northern states join forces for 2025 edition
Preparations are in top gear for the maiden edition of the Arewa Festival 2025, a cultural-entrepreneurial showcase designed to revive Northern Nigeria’s historic trade routes, spotlight local entrepreneurs, and strengthen cross-border commercial ties.
Scheduled for November 22 and 23, 2025, the festival will take place simultaneously across all 19 Northern states, marking one of the largest coordinated cultural-trade events ever held in the region.
Shuhda Muhammed, the convener of Arewa Festival and CEO of Tripoint Academy, at a press conference in Lagos, said the festival aligns with the spirit of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) celebrated annually in 188 countries.
Muhammed explained that this year’s theme, “Together We Grow,” inspired the creation of an umbrella event that unifies Northern entrepreneurs, creatives, farmers, and traders in a shared cultural and economic experience.
“Northern Nigeria has a rich history of trade. People once travelled from Chad, Cameroon, and Niger to buy our textiles and goods. That vibrant marketplace has declined, but Arewa Festival is our chance to revive it. Our theme, ‘Reliving the African Trade,’ captures exactly what we want to achieve,” Muhammed said.
She described the festival as a coordinated Northern Nigerian Canton Fair, featuring food, fashion, agriculture, crafts, and traditional cultural expressions. The extended programme, running until early December, is also expected to host delegations from other African countries.
At the heart of the initiative is the AREWA TEC model: Africa Rebuilds an Economy with Agriculture, Trade, Entrepreneurship, Education, Creatives and Hospitality, a development framework Tripoint Academy hopes will inspire long-term regional transformation.
Olawale Anifowose, managing director, Global Entrepreneurship Network Nigeria (GEN Nigeria), underscored the significance of the festival as a GEW flagship event, stating the Arewa Festival is far more than a cultural showcase; it is a movement that will accelerate economic transformation in Northern Nigeria.
Anifowose added that the festival will expand market access for SMEs, promote youth empowerment, and project Northern Nigeria’s industriousness to the world. “We believe this first edition will be a light that shines globally. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of every economy, and this platform brings their work to the forefront,” he remarked.
Corporate partners also pledged support for the festival’s economic and social mission. Onajaite Esharegharan, divisional head of corporate banking at TAJBank Ltd, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering Northern women entrepreneurs through competitive financing, mentorship, capacity building, and networking. “As a bank rooted in the North, this festival feels like home to us. Empowering women means empowering communities, and we are proud to partner with an initiative that uplifts local talent,” she said.
On her part, Uche Uzoebo, CEO, Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF) Limited, said the festival presents a critical opportunity to reduce Northern Nigeria’s high financial-exclusion rate. She announced plans to expand agency banking, financial literacy, and digital payment access points during the event, noting that several women exhibitors would be supported to become SANEF agents.
Taiwo Oyeniyi, chief operating officer of Tripoint Travels Limited, said the tourism sector stands to benefit significantly, as the festival will showcase the beauty, diversity, and unity of Nigeria.
Omotayo Olaobaju, culinary category manager at Promasidor Nigeria Limited, said Onga is proud to partner with the Arewa Festival because there is no festival without food, stating, “As a seasoning brand with strong culinary relevance, the festival aligns perfectly with Onga’s vision. Northern Nigeria represents a key market for food and culinary businesses, and Onga already has a wide footprint in the region.
“Through this festival, the company aims to support entrepreneurs, particularly those in the food sector, by offering cash support and other incentives to demonstrate its commitment to consumers and SMEs. Activations will be carried out across multiple states, engaging thousands of Nigerians, with plans to expand the partnership in future editions and continue supporting the growth of the food business in Nigeria.”
Bashir Ibrahim, vice president of sales and
digitalization, North, T2, said the company is excited to partner with the Arewa Festival as a digital partner. “Technology empowers people, expands access, and strengthens businesses,” he noted, highlighting T2’s investment in the creative and digital economy.
He emphasized that the festival offers a platform to promote lifestyle, culture, and economic participation through technology, while providing Northern Nigerian entrepreneurs with access to digital tools, creating opportunities, and empowering them to achieve more. Ibrahim also praised the resilience and innovation of entrepreneurs across the North, noting that T2 looks forward to supporting their growth and enabling greater digital engagement.
As excitement builds ahead of November, organisers and partners say Arewa Festival 2025 will not only celebrate the region’s culture but also spark a revival of the legendary African trade networks that once positioned Northern Nigeria as a bustling commercial powerhouse.
