Lagos is alive with renewed energy as the 5th International Furniture, Home Textile and Household Exhibition—DecorExpo 2025—officially kicked off on November 19. Held at the Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, the annual gathering has become a major meeting point for players in the furniture, home décor, and textile industries, offering a collaborative space for strengthening commercial ties between Nigeria and Turkiye.
This year’s edition places a strong emphasis on policy reforms that can revitalise the textile sector. Over the three-day event, exhibitors, industry leaders, and policymakers will explore ways to enhance production capacity, promote innovation, and encourage long-term investment in Nigeria’s growing décor market.
At the opening ceremony, participants stressed the urgent need for government intervention to support the sector. Hon. Martins Arebun, President of the Mindshift Empowerment and Employment Initiative (MEEI), described DecorExpo 2025 as an important catalyst for economic cooperation and cultural connection. He noted that Nigeria’s young population and expanding consumer base make it a strategic gateway into the African continent.
Arebun pointed to the significant trade relationship between Nigeria and Turkiye, with bilateral trade in 2024 reaching more than US$504 million in Nigerian exports and US$394 million in imports. He explained that the décor and textile industries remain central to this partnership, creating opportunities for collaboration across manufacturing, real estate, and urban development.
He further urged Nigerian authorities to maximise foreign direct investment and develop policies that would position the country as a major production centre in West Africa. According to him, consistent and targeted reforms are essential for building a textile industry capable of meeting both local and international demand.
Exhibition Director Muhammed Ali Aras echoed this view, stating that the ideas shared at DecorExpo 2025 could guide future growth within the furniture and textile value chains. He revealed that the expo would feature panel sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking events designed to encourage creativity, spotlight new products, and promote local artisans.
Also speaking at the event, Gabriel Idahosa, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the already strong textile trade between Nigeria and Turkiye. He noted that exhibitions like DecorExpo broaden business opportunities and introduce Nigerian entrepreneurs to emerging trends in the global furniture market.
Beyond economics, the speakers also emphasised the cultural importance of textiles. Co-host and MEEI founder, Dr. Daniel Deji Ayodele, celebrated the expo as a platform that allows Nigerian designers to display pieces that reflect the nation’s heritage and artistic flair. According to him, showcasing culturally inspired designs strengthens national pride while enriching the industry’s competitive landscape.
As DecorExpo 2025 progresses, organisers and participants remain confident that the discussions, partnerships, and innovations emerging from the event will chart a new course for Nigeria’s furniture and textile sectors.
