By Omodele Adigun
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, officially launched the 2025 edition of the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC) at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.
In his keynote address, Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed Lagos State’s readiness to collaborate with corporate organizations and sub-national governments across the globe to unlock the state’s vast economic potential.
He described Lagos as a powerhouse of non-oil revenue, noting that in 2024 alone, the state attracted $5.95 billion in foreign capital inflows—over two-thirds of Nigeria’s total. In Q1 2025, Lagos maintained its lead, drawing $2.56 billion despite global economic headwinds.
The governor further emphasized Lagos’s trajectory toward becoming the ninth-largest city economy in the world by 2030, with a population exceeding 30 million and one of Africa’s most vibrant consumer markets.
He also highlighted Lagos as the heartbeat of Africa’s tech ecosystem, home to over 2,500 startups, including unicorns like Flutterwave and Andela.
Hosted by Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading Nigerian financial institution, FNITCC is the bank’s flagship market access platform for non-oil exports.
Over three days, the event welcomed more than 3,000 participants—including investors, trade agencies, exporters, and diaspora professionals—with projected trade and investment deals exceeding $500 million.
In her remarks, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, stressed the bank’s commitment to shifting Nigeria-U.S. trade beyond oil.
She said that while Nigeria’s non-oil exports currently stand at under $5 billion annually, the potential is immense. Lagos alone contributes over 30% of Nigeria’s GDP and is home to thousands of export-ready businesses spanning agriculture, fashion, creative industries, and professional services.
“Georgia, with its world-class logistics infrastructure, vibrant diaspora, and progressive trade policies, is a natural partner in Nigeria’s transformation toward a non-oil export-driven economy.
“Its ports, airports, and innovation hubs offer Nigerian exporters a strategic gateway into the U.S. market.”
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe access to global markets is a pathway to shared prosperity. That belief inspired the creation of FNITCC,” Onyeali-Ikpe said.
FNITCC Atlanta 2025 marks the third edition of Fidelity Bank’s global trade initiative, following successful outings in London and Houston that unlocked over $500 million in export business.
This year’s edition is expected to generate a trade and investment pipeline of over $300 million.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 9.1 million customers who are serviced across its 251 business offices and various digital banking channels in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
