Picnews
The GTCentre in Oniru was transformed into a sprawling culinary wonderland this past weekend as the Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Food and Drink Festival concluded its first-ever Holiday Edition. Held on December 20th and 21st, the event brought a festive twist to Africa’s largest food showcase, drawing thousands of “Detty December” revelers and families to the heart of Victoria Island.
Breaking away from its traditional mid-year schedule, the 2025 Holiday Edition traded formal masterclasses for an immersive, family-centric experience. The GTCentre was reimagined with a Christmas Village a curated marketplace of artisanal gifts and seasonal treats and an expanded Children’s Play Arena that kept the youngest foodies engaged while parents explored the stalls.
“The goal was to create a shared experience that mirrors the warmth of the season,” said a representative for GTCO. “By moving this to December, we’ve leaned into the festive spirit of Lagos while providing a critical year-end boost to our local food entrepreneurs.”
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the festival remained a serious engine for economic growth. This year, GTCO doubled its commitment to small businesses, hosting 213 Nigerian-owned food SMEs nearly twice the number featured in previous iterations. With booth spaces provided entirely free of charge, the festival acted as a massive retail incubator.
Vendors across various categories from the smoky aromas of Firewood Jollof and Polo Club Suya to the artisanal sweetness of Butterfly Bakery reported record-breaking sales.
“We sold out of our signature mini-loaf cakes by mid-day on Saturday,” shared one vendor. “For a small business, the visibility here in 48 hours is equivalent to six months of traditional marketing.”
The auditory backdrop was as rich as the flavors. Eschewing the usual instructional demos, the “Holiday Edition” prioritized entertainment, featuring high-energy sets from two of Nigeria’s top DJs, DJ Spinal
l and DJ Obi. The Street Food Hub remained the festival’s beating heart, offering affordable, diverse tastes that showcased the depth of Nigerian culinary heritage.
While some attendees noted the intense crowds and midday heat, the general consensus was one of high praise for the organization and cleanliness. “It’s well-organized, and the variety is incredible,” said Bimbo, a regular attendee. “It has become a staple for our family’s Christmas tradition.”
As the gates closed at 10:00 PM on Sunday, the maiden Holiday Edition proved that the appetite for experience-led retail in Nigeria is only growing. By successfully merging SME empowerment with holiday tourism, GTCO has set a new benchmark for corporate-led festivals in West Africa.
