Creative Industry
Experts Urge Collaborative Training and Investment to Propel Nigeria’s Tourism and Transportation Industry at NTTSummit 2025
Joel Ajayi
The 8th edition of the National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo has concluded in Abuja with a strong call for the integration of entrepreneurship development, skills acquisition and capacity-building programmes into the national policy framework for the tourism and transportation sectors.
According to the communique issued at the end of the two-day summit, stakeholders emphasized that such initiatives are essential for empowering youth and women, equipping them with the practical skills required to enter the industry, and stimulating investment through effective collaboration among training and capacity-development institutions. This, they noted, is critical for advancing the growth of Nigeria’s travel, tourism, hospitality and transportation sectors.
The communique further highlighted the need for strengthened cooperation among key public and private sector players, including the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), certification bodies, and leading training institutions such as NIHOTOUR and NCAT.
This collaboration, stakeholders said, is vital for enhancing service quality and aligning operations with global best practices.Participants also underscored the importance of standardizing operational guidelines across the tourism and transportation value chain, increasing investment in transportation infrastructure, and developing tourist destinations through public-private partnerships built on strong synergistic frameworks.
On tourism development, the summit stressed the need for a renewed focus on community-based tourism at the grassroots level, where most of Nigeria’s tourism wealth is located. It urged the federal and state governments to work closely with local governments and community leaders to upgrade tourist sites, strengthen heritage management and empower local stakeholders to drive tourism business sustainably.
The communique also called for the revitalization of Local Government Tourism Committees to ensure inclusive participation in tourism activities. It emphasized the importance of developing quality infrastructure—especially transportation, described as the “lifeline of the industry”—to enhance the tourism value chain, stimulate local economies, and promote cultural preservation and national heritage.
The resolutions emerged from expert presentations and panel discussions aligned with the Summit’s theme: “Tourism–Transportation Connectivity: Accelerating Synergy for National Socio-Economic Growth and Development.”
Speakers addressed key sub-themes including:Standards and Policies for Sustainable Tourism and Transportation DevelopmentDriving Economic Growth through Private Sector ParticipationDestination Development and Human Capital Capacity Building.
Community-Based and Inclusive Tourism for Social Integration and EmpowermentUnlocking Investment Opportunities in Tourism Transport Corridors
Sustainable Marine Resource Management for Blue Economy Growth.
Participating organizations and agencies that presented papers at NTTSummit 2025 included: the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), National College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA), among others.
Creative Industry
CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026
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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