By Nnasom David

Nigerian beauty business strategist and consultant Bukki Obey, CEO of BookieLavida Consult, has been officially reappointed as the Nigerian agent for BeautyIstanbul—one of the world’s leading international trade exhibitions for beauty and personal care.

The 2025 edition of Beauty Istanbul, held May 8–10, featured exhibitors and national pavilions from countries across the globe—including South Africa, Ghana, and The Gambia. Yet, Nigeria had no formal representation from its own thriving beauty industry.

Bukki sees this gap not as defeat, but as a call to action.

“This reappointment is about the future of Nigerian beauty,” she shares. “We have world-class brands. What we need is global exposure, structure, and bold representation. That’s what I’m here to build.”

Through BookieLavida Consult, Bukki will spearhead efforts to bring Nigerian beauty brands to Beauty Istanbul 2026—not just to attend, but to exhibit, pitch, and scale. From SMEs to emerging beauty exporters, she aims to simplify the international trade show experience for Nigerian founders, giving them the tools and guidance they need to succeed on the world stage.

“Trade exhibitions like BeautyIstanbul aren’t just events—they are launchpads. We’re talking about access to distributors, private label manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and even investors from over 120 countries. Nigerian brands deserve to be in those rooms.”

Bukki’s long-term vision includes unlocking Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), enabling contract manufacturing deals, and paving the way for pan-African collaborations that strengthen Nigeria’s position in the $500+ billion global beauty economy.

The call is now open for Nigerian beauty and personal care brands to begin preparations for the 2026 edition.