By Erewunmi Peace

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is set to lead the state’s official delegation to the 2025 Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC) in Atlanta, USA. The event, organized by Fidelity Bank Plc, is a major platform aimed at facilitating trade, investment, and cultural exchange between Nigeria and the global community.

Scheduled to take place from September 18 to 20, 2025, at the Omni Atlanta Hotel, the conference is expected to attract over 3,000 participants, including investors, exporters, and diaspora professionals. Organizers project that the summit will facilitate over $500 million in trade and investment deals.

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s attendance underscores Lagos State’s commitment to attracting foreign direct investment and building global partnerships. According to a statement from Fidelity Bank, the Governor will use the FNITCC platform to highlight Lagos’s position as Africa’s largest economy and to explore opportunities for a “sister city partnership” with Atlanta.

In a statement, Governor Sanwo-Olu said, “Lagos is a city of enterprise, creativity, and boundless opportunity. At FNITCC Atlanta, we are not only showcasing Lagos as Africa’s largest economy but also building bridges of trade, investment, and cultural exchange with our partners in Atlanta and the wider United States. This engagement underscores our commitment to positioning Lagos as a truly global city, where innovation thrives, partnerships flourish, and prosperity is shared.”

Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, expressed honor in hosting the Lagos delegation. “As the largest economy on the continent, Lagos State is well-positioned to capitalize on the wide range of opportunities we are creating to ensure Nigerian products are effectively received within the global marketplace, especially on the American continent through FNITCC Atlanta,” she said.

The three-day conference will feature a variety of events, including panel discussions, product exhibitions, and matchmaking sessions designed to connect U.S. buyers and investors with Nigerian businesses. The agenda also includes discussions on export financing, institutional infrastructure for trade promotion, and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The event is held in partnership with AFRICON, a leading global forum for African innovators and change leaders, and is expected to further strengthen economic ties and diaspora engagement between Nigeria and the United States.