Global stationery brands target Nigeria’s education market at SCOFEX debut

In a bid to elevate the quality of educational materials available in Nigeria, the School and Office Expo (SCOFEX), a leading international stationery and office supplies exhibition, has made its Nigerian debut, attracting top manufacturers and industry players from around the globe.

Organised by Tecburg Private Limited, the expo has previously been held in countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, and Morocco. According to Ashish Jain, marketing director of the organising company, Nigeria is a key market that had long been on the event’s radar due to its large population and growing demand for high-quality, affordable school and office supplies.

“What we’ve realised over the years is that there’s a huge demand for quality stationery products across Africa, especially in emerging markets like Nigeria where there’s still room for better structure in importation and distribution,” Jain said during a press briefing at the Landmark Centre in Lagos on Thursday.

He added that the event in Nigeria, like its counterparts in other countries, focuses on addressing the gaps in educational infrastructure by providing access to basic but essential tools such as quality pencils, notebooks, erasers, and art supplies.

“Education is the foundation of national development, and even simple materials like well-made pencils and notebooks significantly affect learning outcomes,” Jain emphasised.

SCOFEX, which stands for School and Office Exhibition, drew exhibitors from 16 countries and showcased brands from over 25 nations.

The Lagos event, which will run from Thursday, May 29 to Saturday, May 31, boasted participation from major global brands such as Nataraj, Beifa, Vista, Flexoffice, MainPaper (MP), Doms, and the likes.

While Jain highlighted the educational impact of the expo, organisers and participants also pointed out the business advantages. The event provides local traders the opportunity to connect directly with international manufacturers, eliminating the need for costly trips abroad to source school supplies from countries like China, Vietnam, and India.

“In the past, Nigerian traders had to travel overseas to import basic school materials. SCOFEX brings these producers right here, opening the door to better trade opportunities and possibly boosting local manufacturing in the long term,” said Ngozi Adindu, the event’s project co-ordinator.

The organisers hope the event’s success in Nigeria will lead to repeat editions in the future, as has been the case in countries like Kenya where the exhibition has been held three times.

“We believe Nigerian children deserve the same quality tools that students in other parts of the world enjoy. And we’re here to help make that happen,” Jain concluded.

Speaking with journalists at the event, Dinesh Chawla, the regional manager representing Nataraj at the exhibition, expressed optimism about tapping into the Nigerian market and building lasting connections with local distributors, schools, and educational institutions.

“Nataraj is a very famous brand in India. We have been manufacturing since 1958 and are now selling our products globally,” said Chawla. “We produce all kinds of writing instruments, from those used by school children to those suitable for adults and corporates.”

“From this exhibition, we expect to gain exposure to the Nigerian market,” he said. “We hope that people who attend the expo will visit our booth, try out our products, and ultimately come to love and accept them.”

“Nigeria is a big market for us,” said Anil Singh, the manager of international business development, Doms Industries Limited. “We are here to start new cooperation possibilities, not just in Nigeria, but also in neighbouring countries. Our goal is to establish strong business relationships in this part of the world.”

“We believe our products will fit well in the Nigerian market,” Singh said. “We are excited to be here and are optimistic that by the end of the exhibition, we will have formed valuable new contacts and opened doors to new operational opportunities.”

With Nigeria’s government placing increasing emphasis on improving education, events like SCOFEX could play a vital role in ensuring that students and teachers alike have access to affordable, durable, and effective learning tools.

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