Lagos, Nigeria – December 19, 2025
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) is set to open the maiden Holiday Edition of its renowned Food & Drink Festival on Friday, December 20, marking a strategic expansion of the platform into the festive season.
The two-day event, scheduled for December 20 and 21, 2025, will take place at the GT Centre, Plot 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos. It will run daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Designed to align with one of the busiest commercial periods of the year, the Holiday Edition combines culinary showcase, family-focused entertainment, and enterprise development. It reinforces GTCO’s shift towards experience-led engagement while maintaining the Festival’s core mission of supporting Nigerian food entrepreneurs.
This year’s Holiday Edition features 213 Nigerian-owned food and beverage businesses selected from over 4,000 applications nationwide, underscoring the Festival’s growing reputation as a credible commercial platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and a contributor to Nigeria’s creative economy.
Attendees will enjoy a wide range of offerings, including traditional Nigerian dishes, contemporary street food, artisanal drinks, and fusion cuisine. Participating vendors include MelonyPine, Firewood Jollof Nigeria, Dundu Nation, Polo Club Suya, Thugg Burgers, Pizzawheels, Chow Noodle Bar, Jazzy’s Burger, 247 Drinks and 247 Cocktails, The Coconut Lady, Pancakes & Co., Butterfly Bakery, Amala Place Canteen, Nonos Catering, Sooyah Bistro, and Mmaabacha, among others.
Unlike previous editions, the Holiday Edition places less emphasis on instructional sessions and more on festive experiences. Highlights include a Christmas Village offering curated gift items and seasonal treats, an expanded Street Food Hub celebrating Nigeria’s street food culture, a Children’s Play Zone for families, and continuous live DJ entertainment throughout the event.
Speaking on the initiative, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said the Festival remains a strong vehicle for enterprise development and cultural expression. He noted that the Holiday Edition is designed to support food entrepreneurs during a peak sales period while providing families with a high-quality and accessible festive destination.
In line with its commitment to inclusive growth, GTCO has retained its zero-cost participation model for vendors, enabling SMEs to benefit from visibility, customer engagement, and revenue opportunities without financial barriers.
The GTCO Food & Drink Festival – Holiday Edition reflects the Group’s belief in making cultural experiences, creativity, and economic opportunities accessible to all. As Lagos ushers in the holiday season, the Festival is positioned as a vibrant convergence of commerce, culture, and celebration.
About GTCO Plc
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) is a leading African financial services group with interests in banking, payments, asset management, and pension management. Through initiatives such as the GTCO Food & Drink Festival, the Group promotes enterprise development, celebrates African creativity, and delivers shared value across communities.
