(This is our third series of the UI’SU yearly trade fair exhibition featured story. Read the first part here and the second here.)

 

By: Sonaike Peter

One of the constant features of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union week is the annual trade fair event. More than anything, the fair provides a bubbly commercial potpourri for the student community to buy and sell goods and services. Enshrined in section 2 (1) of the Students’ Union Constitution — and rooted in tradition — the Trade Fair Show has served as a market square, an interface for contact between registered vendors and buyers.

As custom has had it, the 2024 trade fair featured an engaging blend of student-run and external vendor exhibitions. Student vendors were required to pay a sum of N10,000 while non-student vendors were charged N20,000 in order to exhibit their commodities. To secure a spot in the trade fair, vendors simply had to register through the Student’ Union. Each was assigned a space with two plastic chairs and a table.

The primary aim of the trade fair has been to offer student vendors the opportunity to showcase their goods, while providing buyers with the convenience of making purchases.

The Students’ Union, according to the vendors who spoke to IndyPress, had made some promises during the registration phase; for example that there’d be no overlap in product offerings.  Vendors applied with the hopes of achieving significant sales that would cover their registration fees.

Again, like in previous featured stories, it has become imperative to ask salient questions. How fair is the Students’ Union trade fair truly? Did vendors meet their sales expectations, and if not, who is to blame? Did buyers enjoy the anticipated discounts? And most importantly, did the Students’ Union live up to its promises?

“There is favouritism in It and I am discouraged” – A Seller’s perspective

Florence was in Ido when she learned about the upcoming Students’ Union trade fair. As a non-student vendor, she paid the required fee of #20,000 which got her a table with two chairs. Initially, she had been informed that not more than four vendors would sell the same product, but to her disappointment, she found multiple vendors offering identical items at the same location.

Dissatisfied, Florence, who sold perfumes, criticized the Students’ Union for not keeping to the terms of the deal.

“I think the problem they had was having a lot of vendors for a particular niche. Because I could really remember I asked; how many perfume vendors? They told me four perfume vendors and I am seeing more than four. I am seeing up to eight,” Florence lamented.

Florence expressed her dissatisfaction after paying for her spot, only to be told later that they (the vendors) would not have their products displayed by the Students’ Union. Understanding the importance of advertisement, She told IndyPress of her disappointment, which lacked, as enjoyed in other trade fairs exhibitions she had attended, the support of vendors’ business flyers showcased to attract potential buyers.

When asked about the challenges she faced, Florence shared that customers turnout was low. Despite lowering her prices, many potential buyers still found her products unaffordable. “Even reducing the price, students are still complaining that it is expensive. I am selling outside for #4500, I am selling #2500 here and students are still complaining,” she added.

Florence had anticipated a bustling trade fair with a good turnout of vendors. But the turnout at the fair fell short of her expectations, leaving her anticipation for an engaging business session spilled.

Another market character, Abosede, a first-time vendor and student from the Department of Guidance and Counseling, expressed discontent over what she described as ‘favouritism’ at the Union’s trade fair. Selling spectacles and jewelry, she claimed that some vendors were given prime spots with better visibility, claiming that a success at the trade for any vendor could be contingent on influential connection with the Students’ Union leadership.

Disheartened by her experience, Abosede revealed that her expectations were dashed, adding that the advertisement process was skewed as only a few vendors had their logos showcased, despite all vendors paying required fees. She argued that this could lead to unequal sales among vendors.

When asked about the number of vendors on the WhatsApp group created by Student’ Union to be able to communicate with them, Abosede mentioned said, “we are more than fifty”.

“Before I made payment, I asked for the procedure; what were the necessary things. They just told us that you just need to pay and they will give us a table and two chairs. That was fine by me. And I think there is favouritism in this thing too. Like they have their people that they gave a well and good space for accessibility. If you don’t know someone or you are not that grounded, you may not really have your sales. I must say I am very discouraged. I knew what I bought and I knew what I came to sell, what I needed to get but I could not make it,” Abosede lamented.

When asked about the area the Students Union needs to improve on, Abosede suggested “they can just do better in aspect of favouritism and placing their people above other persons”.

The cleanliness of the trade fair location is a critical factor to consider, especially since food items were sold. A dirty environment can pose significant risks to customers purchasing these products.

For Adebusola Adeola, a final year Law student, the trade exhibition was a success with high patronage. She however criticized the Students’ Union for the unkempt state of the market. She shared that she had to clean her assigned spot before starting her sales.

Echoing her frustration, her friend, who assisted her in selling her products disclosed that the DJ hired by the Students’ Union, despite being brought in to boost awareness of their products, left prematurely before the event had fully unfolded.

“The main problem is cleanliness. They didn’t sweep this place in the morning. Very bad. I had to sweep this place myself,” Adebusola’s friend stated.

Unlike student vendors who paid ₦10,000, Sommie, a final-year Mathematics student, paid ₦40,000 for a whole tent to participate in the trade fair. Having been a regular participant at the trade fair program since her first year, she shared her optimistic outlook, emphasizing that she looked forward to growth and success for her business at every UI’SU trade fair program.

Sommie expressed satisfaction with the fair, noting that she made some wins while hopeful that her expectations would be fully realized. When asked about any shortcomings, she had nothing but praise for the Students’ Union body, stating, “I think the SU body is doing amazing. I don’t see any weaknesses. I think they are trying their best. They are students as well,” Sommie said.

In response to Adeola’s claim about the market being dirty in the morning, Sommie explained that she didn’t notice the environmental issue, as she arrived late on the day the interview was conducted with her.

When asked if her expectations were met, Olamide, from the Faculty of Law confirmed that they were, as her sales at the trade fair had covered her registration fees. However, she highlighted a key issue with the event’s organization. She explained that the Union had failed to allocate spots to vendors in advance, leading her to experience the inconvenience of moving from one crowded spot, where other vendors were selling similar products with her, to another, where she was alone.

When asked about areas for improvement, Olamide suggested that the Union should focus on better publicity. She mentioned that several of her classmates were unaware of the event.

“I feel they could have just apportioned the tent to make everything more organized. The former place I was assigned to, It was directly beside someone selling the thing as I do. So, I had to change my stance. Yeah, I think that was it,”

Through the lens of the buyers 

Speaking to IndyPress, Adedayo, a buyer at the trade fair, said the trade was fair. Adedayo, who purchased Kelishi, mentioned that she got a good deal, as it was priced lower than usual. “I believe it was a fair transaction because I bought the Kelishi for 4000, while the normal price is 5000,” she explained.

Another buyer, Sarah, shared her thoughts on the trade fair, acknowledging that it was somewhat fair overall. She purchased a variety of items, including food, clothes and jewelry, but pointed out a notable downside, which was a lack of variety in goods showcased. Additionally, Sarah observed that the fair had a predominantly female vendor presence, which limited her ability to buy goods for her brother. While she did find some clothing at a discounted price, the food prices remained largely unchanged.”I would say the trade fair had more female vendors than male vendors. I was looking for things for my brother but could not buy,” she said.

On the other hand, Semilore, a student from the Faculty of Education, stated that despite the discounted prices offered by sellers, some buyers were still unable to afford the items due to their limited purchasing power.

“There will be priority, not favouritism” – Students’ Union Vice-President, Nafisat Aboderin

In an interview with Indypress, Nafisat Aboderin, the Vice President of the Students’ Union, elucidated on the details about the trade fair program.

Nafisat clarified that the trade fair was open to both UI students and non-students. According to her, student vendors paid a fee of ₦10,000, while non-students were charged ₦20,000. Additionally, vendors who opted for full tents paid ₦40,000, while two student vendors who shared a spot paid #15000

When asked about the exact number of participating vendors, Nafisat estimated it to be over 50, though she was unsure of the precise figure, during her interview with the Press.

Addressing the claim of favoritism raised by Abosede, a student vendor, in the form of assigning visible spots, Nafisat firmly contrasted.

“There is nothing like favouritism in my books. The only people I give priority to throughout my entire Union week — the Union week I am planning, not just the trade fair, but everything — are sponsors. So, if you are a sponsor, you are a vendor… we are selling this with a promise to a sponsor. So, if you promise a sponsor a particular thing, and the sponsor has decided to give us something in return, of course, there will be priority, not favouritism.”

In response to concerns raised by a vendor about the disparity in advertisement of their flyers and logos, Nafisat explained that only those who submitted their logos early had them advertised, as late submissions were not included.

Commenting on complaints regarding the cleanliness of the marketplace, particularly from student vendor like Adeola, Nafisat attributed the mess to the Carnival Committee’s failure to clean the trade fair area after the carnival held on Sunday, 8th December, 2024. The Vice-president during the interview acknowledged and took responsibility for not clearing the spot.

The Union must draw valuable lessons from the shortcomings that surfaced during this year’s trade fair. Specifically, vendors, particularly first-time participants such as Abosede and Florence, voiced disappointment over several issues, including the uneven allocation of exhibition spots, unfulfilled promises, and inadequate promotional support. These challenges, according to the vendors ultimately resulted in unmet expectations. They highlight areas that require improvement for future events.

The incoming administration must prioritize improvements in vendor placement planning to prevent overcrowding in specific product niches and ensure equal publicity for all participants through measures such as flyer distribution and advertising. These issues, highlighted by IndyPress, were also prevalent during the previous administration’s tenure. Moreover, financial transparency is essential, with the Students’ Union needing to provide clear and open communication regarding the utilization of vendor fees, which range from ₦10,000 to ₦40,000, to ensure accountability and trust.