…..A Bold Call to “Relive the African Trade” Across 19 Northern States.
Tripoint Academy for Tourism and Enterprise Development, in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Nigeria, successfully hosted the official press conference for Arewa Festival 2025, unveiling the vision, structure, and economic mission of the upcoming regional celebration themed “Reliving the African Trade.”
Held in Lagos on Wednesday, 19th November 2025, the event brought together distinguished industry leaders, brand executives, and development partners who reiterated their commitment to supporting the cultural and economic revival of Northern Nigeria.
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Key Guests in Attendance
The press conference was graced by respected leaders across finance, telecommunications, FMCG, and entrepreneurship, including:
• Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, MD/CEO, SANEF
• Mrs. Onajite Eshareghan, Head of Corporate Banking, TAJ Bank
• Mr. Ibrahim Katsina, VP, Sales & Digitization – North, T2 (formerly 9Mobile)
• Mr. Seni Ogunkola, VP, Brand & Communications, T2
• Mrs. Babatunde Kudirat, Assistant Brand Manager, Culinary, ONGA
• Omotayo Olaobaju, Head of Culinary Category, ONGA
• Dr. Olawale Anifowose, MD, GEN Nigeria
A Festival Positioned as an Economic Renaissance
Arewa Festival 2025 is set to unite all 19 Northern States in a transformative celebration that blends commerce, culture, entrepreneurship, and community.
The Founder of Tripoint Academy, Mrs. Shuhda Muhammed, emphasized the festival’s economic significance during her address.
Anchored in the legacy of ancient trans-Saharan trade and the historic markets that once shaped West Africa’s economic power, the Festival aims to reawaken Northern Nigeria’s economic leadership and channel cultural heritage into modern prosperity.
A Movement for Economic Reawakening
Speakers at the press conference highlighted the festival’s ability to:
• Accelerate trade and market access for SMEs, artisans, and agribusinesses
• Spotlight rising creative and entrepreneurial talent across Arewa
• Attract investment, tourism, and global commercial partnerships
• Restore confidence in the region’s resilience and potential
With an expected attendance of 200,000+ visitors and 5,000+ SMEs projected to benefit from expanded market access, Arewa Festival 2025 is positioned as a unifying engine for regional economic transformation.
Introducing AREWATECH; The Festival’s Legacy Blueprint
A major announcement at the press conference was the introduction of AREWATECH
(Africa Rebuilds Economy With Agriculture, Trade, Entrepreneurship, Education, Creatives & Hospitality).
AREWATECH is the festival’s long-term development initiative designed to:
• Strengthen agricultural value chains
• Enable inter-state and international trade
• Expand youth entrepreneurship and skills development
• Scale the creative and digital economy
• Position Northern Nigeria as a tourism and hospitality hub
The blueprint will evolve into:
• Innovation hubs
• Annual marketplaces
• Export and investment channels
• A year-round entrepreneurial ecosystem
A Festival of Commerce + Culture + Creativity
The press event unveiled the core experience pillars of the Festival:
Festival Categories & Highlights
• Trade & SMEs: Exhibitions, retail marketplace, export-readiness programs
• Culture: Durbar parade, state showcases, heritage experiences
• Fashion: Full runway exhibition featuring northern designers
• Food & Tourism: Kano Food Carnival, cooking battles, travel experiences
• Entrepreneurship: Business masterclasses across all 19 Northern States
• Youth Engagement: Talent challenges, mentorship, innovation showcases
• Knowledge Exchange: Panels on the A-TECH sectors
• Art Exhibitions: Gallery walks, live art sessions
• Library Data Collection: Literacy engagement & data gathering
The festival is a 2-Day Grand across all 19 northern states.
Who Will Attend
• Entrepreneurs & investors
• Agribusiness and creative economy stakeholders
• Innovators, students & youth
• Development agencies & government leaders
• Local & international tourists
• Families and the Arewa diaspora
Expected Impact for Northern Nigeria
• Economic Growth: Expanded markets, jobs, investment pipelines
• Cultural Revival: Identity, tradition, and heritage preservation
• Youth Empowerment: Opportunities that reduce insecurity
• Narrative Shift: From regional challenges to regional leadership
Partnership & Sponsorship Opportunities
The Festival continues to welcome collaboration with:
• Northern Governors’ Forum & Emirate Councils
• Ministries of Culture, Trade, Tourism & Innovation
• Banks, telecoms, FMCGs & private sector organizations
• International agencies & donor institutions
Various sponsorship tiers unlock access to massive regional visibility, market engagement, and high-impact partnership integration.
Photo Caption L-R: Mrs. Onajite Eshareghran, head, corporate banking, TAJ Bank; Mrs. Omotayo Olaobaju, head of Category, Culinary ONGA, Dr. Olawale Anifowose, managing director, Global Entrepreneur Network (GEN) Nigeria, Mrs. Shuhda Muhammed, founder, Tripoint Academy and convener, Arewa Festival and Seni Ogunkola, vice president, brand and Communications, T2 at the media briefing for Arewa Festival 2025 held in Lagos yesterday.
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