The waterfront of Oniru, Lagos, came alive with colour, flavours and celebration as the GTCO Food & Drink Festival – Holiday Edition 2025 was held on Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21, 2025. Organised by Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), the two-day event marked the first time the iconic food festival was tailored specifically to the Christmas season, blending culinary excellence with the warmth and togetherness that define the holidays.
From early hours, thousands of food lovers, families and tourists thronged the venue, exploring a vibrant marketplace that featured over 200 Nigerian-owned food vendors offering a rich mix of local delicacies, continental dishes and innovative fusion cuisine. The festive edition also introduced a street-food hub and Christmas-themed attractions that created an immersive holiday experience, while live music and DJ performances kept the atmosphere lively throughout the event.
Beyond celebration, the festival reinforced GTCO’s strong commitment to enterprise development, as vendors participated at no cost, enabling small and medium-scale food businesses to maximise profits during the peak festive period.
Many entrepreneurs reported impressive sales and increased brand visibility, highlighting the festival’s growing role as a launchpad for food businesses and creative talents within Nigeria’s hospitality industry.
As the curtains fell on the 2025 Holiday Edition, the GTCO Food & Drink Festival once again proved to be more than a food exhibition. It stood out as a platform that celebrates culture, empowers entrepreneurs and unites communities, setting a new benchmark for festive culinary events in Lagos and strengthening the city’s reputation as a hub for food, culture and innovation.