Creative Industry

Development Of Hospitality Is Fundamental-Minister

Published

6 years ago

March 26, 2021

…Inaugurates HTSSCN Governing Board

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has revealed that development of tourism and hospitality is fundamental to the growth and development of Nigeria adding that all hands need to be deck to achieve this.

To this end, he however, inaugurated the Board of Directors and Trustees of the governing board of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN) with a charge to take the sector to the next level.

Speaking at inauguration on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister, who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, said the board would help in enhancing the growth and development of the sector by living beyond expectations in actualizing the dream of the sector.

According to him, the composition of the board membership cut across the private sector driven union, national bodies and stakeholders, who were fully involved with professional skills, operations and services.

He added that the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) being the regulating board, has spelt out the roles and responsibilities that would be carried out by employers.

This, he said, would fulfill the development of the trade union, professional bodies, and other key players, through a structured platform of the council.

“You may wish to note that the Federal Executive Council ( FEC) in 2013, approved the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and setting up sector skill council for the selection of pilot sectors of the economy.

“You are among those carefully nominated due to your dedication, and selfless services to the growth of the sector.

“I approved the representation at both board of directors and trustees of the council, while other members are drawn from the private sector, to the employer-led member organizations as represented by your presence as you are inaugurated.”

Earlier, in his address of welcome, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director- General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), described the inauguration of the governing board of the sector skills council as setting another milestone in the desire to institutionalize the council.

According to him, regarding the constitution of the board, deliberate efforts were taken to ensure the representation of a strictly private sector driven employer-led stakeholders across the trade unions.

” We are, however, aware that some specialized sector trade service providers and operators are yet to form their specialized trade unions, associations or professional bodies.

” The council is encouraging such specialized trade operators to form a united body, so that we can identify and engage them for admission into the council in the dispensation of our activities,” Kangiwa said.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the Chairman board of Trustees, Alhaji Tijani Danzabuwa, promised to assiduously ensure the pursuit of the council’s vision with zeal and passion.

”Given our wealth of experience and positions as private sector employers and stakeholders, we shall double our efforts towards advocating for improved quality service delivery in the industry.

Other members of the board of directors included: Mrs Susan Akporiaye, President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs Patricia Narai, Director Domestic & Eco Tourism Department.

Also name in the committee are Mrs Kinabalu Timothy, Event worth, Mr Ikechi Uko, organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market.

While, other members of the Board of Trustees includes; Mrs Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Culture, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director-General National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)

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Creative Industry

CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026

Published

1 week ago

November 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) will present its roadmap to grow Africa’s fashion economy from an estimated $30 billion to $500 billion at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos.

Marking its first anniversary on November 5, CAFA will unveil a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, on November 5, 2026.

CAFA President, Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, said the institution works with African governments to align sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property policies, ensuring African creativity generates greater value for African businesses and communities.

Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on November 5, 2025, when the Honourable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa signed on behalf of the Federal Government.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Minister Musawa said: “Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact.”

On employment potential, the minister emphasized that Investment in fashion will create millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth.

Registered in Rwanda, with an office in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also working with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards African Union adoption of the Charter. Rwanda is progressing towards becoming its second participating country and the first in East Africa.

Its first year saw fifty nations gather at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and a signed MoU with Türkiye’s ASRIAD.

CAFA’s programmes promote processing African raw materials into finished apparel locally. ‘Own What We Create’ addresses intellectual property protection, while the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark support standards and authenticity. African Global Fashion Houses are currently being established across international markets.

The African Global Fashion Games will debut in Nigeria in 2028, bringing designers together under national colours. Held every three years, the Games will alternate between African and international hosts, combining competition with investor meetings, deal signings and policy discussions. Its Instant Craft event gives competing nations identical materials and a fixed clock, placing skill at the centre of the contest.

CAFA is inviting creatives, fashion designers, artisans, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to its CANEX stand. Visitors can explore the roadmap, ask questions and identify opportunities to contribute through design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships. The stand will be open daily from November 5 to 8.

CAFA calls on the African Union to adopt the Charter, and governments to sign the Games Register and form national teams.

“Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays,” Aare Prof. Lai Labode said.

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