Barrister Mrs. Veronica Ndanusa, Executive Director/CEO, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex
THE TOP10 MAGAZINE FEMALE TRANSFORMATIVE LEADER OF THE YEAR
For 14 years, the Lagos International Trade Fair failed to hold at the venue specially built for it – The Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, along Badagry Road, Lagos – for reasons not known or acceptable to many. But that unfortunate interregnum was brought to an end with the staging of Nigeria’s biggest trade exhibition at its traditional time and venue – November 2024 at the Trade Fair Complex – thanks to the leadership of Barrister Mrs. Veronica Safiya Ndanusa.
The return of the annual event to the Trade Fair Complex has received plaudits from Nigeria’s business and commercial community and commendation by the Nigerian government. It also represents one of the highpoints of Barrister Ndanusa’s accomplishments in her first year in office as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Mrs. Ndanusa as the Executive Director/CEO of the Trade Fair Complex on October 14, 2023, and charged her to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda mantra of his administration. Since then, Ndanusa has performed what, in the assessment of the occupants of the Complex, amounts to magic, surpassing expectations, turning around the blockages that had hampered activities at the Trade Fair Complex ground and growth in Nigeria’s commerce and investment. The Trade Fair business community were effusive with commendations for her during the commemoration her first year anniversary in office.
The Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Stakeholders Association highlighted her achievements, noting that Ndanusa’s tenure had seen the strengthening of policies that mitigated the growth of businesses in the Complex. They said her strides had led to the National Assembly legislators’ oversight function visit to see to the completion of critical infrastructure projects and enumerated her efforts to empower stakeholders by bringing back and recognising their importance in the Trade Fair community. The Executive Director was credited for forging strategic partnerships and collaborations with government agencies to enhance trade facilitation.
The Community also gave her kudos for infrastructural upgrades and boosting trade efficiency and competitiveness. A women leader, politician and key stakeholder at the Lagos International Trade Fair complex, Mrs. Catherine O. Adibuah, described her as a true African woman of substance who has come and performed very well in an office usually dominated by men.
She said: “I am very proud of you for your achievements especially in bringing sanity in building and property development and management in the complex.
“You came and began the clearing of drainages that have not been done since the beginning of the complex in 1977. You helped us restore electricity and with your help, the National Assembly has agreed to include the cost of reconstructing the 6-kilometre ring-road since 1977 in the 2025 national budget.”
The height of Barr. Ndanusa’s glory as the CEO of the Trade Fair Complex was the presidential commendation she received for returning the hosting of the Lagos International Trade Fair to the complex after 14 years of inactivity. The return of the trade fair, she said at the opening ceremony on November 15, 2024, “presents a platform where businesses, government agencies and investors can connect, collaborate, and find new avenues for growth. Our goal is to enhance Nigeria’s commercial landscape by showcasing the latest products, services, and technological advancements. Through this gathering, we aim to open doors for investments, job creation, and industry growth that will ultimately contribute to national prosperity.”
The Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes, Dr. Mariam Masha, described the resumption of the fair as the dawn of a new era for Nigeria. He commended Barr. Ndanusa and her team for their efforts at ensuring the resumption of the fair in the complex.
He said: “I commend her visionary leadership and her dedicated team for bringing back this iconic event at such a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. Your efforts in reviving this platform are a testament to your commitment to driving economic growth and development in Nigeria and across the borders of Nigeria’s shores.” The Vice-President described the Fair as a powerful platform to showcase the resilience and innovation of the nation’s industries, saying, “It provides an opportunity to connect with global partners, explore new markets, and foster collaboration. I urge all participants to seize this moment to forge lasting relationships and drive economic growth.”
About 400 exhibitors had registered to participate at the fair. Mrs. Ndanusa attributed the relatively low turnout to the management’s inability to host fairs within the complex for nearly two decades.
“Lagos International Trade Fair Complex offers a unique advantage to industrialists and exhibitors due to its strategic location and excellent infrastructure, making it a hub of commercial activity,” she said. “The high traffic flow and diverse audience provide unparalleled opportunities for businesses to showcase their products and services, connect with potential customers, and expand their market reach. This trade fair serves as a gateway to the West African market, offering access to a vast consumer base in ECOWAS countries. It is a platform where businesses can explore new markets, forge partnerships, and drive economic growth across the region.”
One of the immediate positive fall-outs of the resumption of the International Trade Fair at its original venue is that the Complex would be used as the venue for the African Union MSME Forum of 2025. Nigeria was announced as the host for the event at the 2024 edition of the Forum held in Namibia a few months ago.
Barrister Ndanusa was born and raised in Minna, Niger State. A seasoned lawyer with over two decades of practice, she is the current secretary of the board of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Forum. She has extensive experience in the operations of humanitarian services, entrepreneur skills development, and women empowerment programmes. She is the current President of the Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs. (NAWE).
Mrs. Ndanusa has received many awards and recognitions for outstanding performance. She was conferred with the Award of National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), by the former President, Muhammadu Buhari. And, following the return of the annual trade exhibition to the Trade Fair Complex after 14 years of absence, the feat was recognized by the Leadtimes Africa Magazine with the Business Woman of the Year 2024 Award.
The investiture, which took place at an impressive ceremony held at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, attracted several top personalities. Presenting the award, the Leadtimes Africa Magazine, Advisory Board Chairman, Dr. Isaac Chukwudi, described Barrister Ndanusa as a focused entrepreneur, who had impacted positively on the lives of many Nigerians and contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Barrister Mrs. Veronica Ndanusa is selected as the Top 10 Magazine’s Female Transformative Leader of the Year 2024 in recognition of her outstanding performance and achievements as the Executive Director/CEO of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, which have greatly impacted the society during the year under review.
