Culture and Tourism

Hospitality, Tourism, Skilled Graduates have brighter prospects- DG NIHOTOUR

Published

4 years ago

September 20, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism NIHOTOUR, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, has stated that all skilled graduates of the Travel Tourism and Hospitality trades, irrespective of level or cadre, have brighter prospects of being self-employed and employable within the industry circle of the country.

Kangiwa stated this when final year students of the Department of Leisure and Tourism Management, Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State on an educational tour of the Institute in Abuja paid him a courtesy visit, said the versatile nature of the Travel Tourism and Hospitality business has the capacity and potential to create jobs as well as offer job opportunities to cater for the skill gap existing within the industry.

The Director-General told the students to consider themselves lucky to have made the right choice of studying Travel Tourism and Hospitality trades, adding that none of them will regret making such a decision as jobs will be readily available upon graduation or better still, they have the choice to be self-employed as a business startup.

He said, as the nation’s apex Travel Tourism and Hospitality Skill Acquisition Centre, NIHOTOUR is willing to collaborate with institutions such as the Federal Polytechnic Idah in the enhancement of quality skill acquisition and training that will add value to the growth and development of the industry and in the overall interest of the socio-economic benefit of the country.

In his remarks, the leader of the students’ delegation and Head of Department of Leisure and Tourism Management, Federal Polytechnic Idah, Dr. Ekundayo I. Mejabi said the Department chose to come to NIHOTOUR on the educational visit out of the many options because they believe the Institute has the potential to add enormous value to their quest for knowledge and aspiration to perform better in skill training and acquisition of all the tourism and hospitality trades.

Dr. Mejabi expressed the deepest thanks and gratitude of the students for the honour done in according them a befitting, warm and cordial reception said he looks forward to establishing a mutually beneficial relationship between his Department and the Institute particularly in the area of Hands-on-Training and skill acquisition for the students.

Some of the students who commented on the educational visit said they were happy with the hospitable reception accorded them as well as the knowledge they gained after been conducted round facilities of the Institute by the Heads of Hospitality and Travel Tourism Departments of the Institute, Alhaji Ibrahim Baba and Mr Edward Enenta respectively.

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Creative Industry

Naija Flavour Destination: Nurturing MSMEs, Local Talent and Creative Innovation

Published

1 week ago

December 14, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi
The Naija Flavour Destination 2025 edition, held on December 13 at the scenic Monoliza Park in Abuja, powerfully underscored Nigeria’s regional diversity while reinforcing the country’s growing status as a hub for culture-led tourism and creative enterprise.

More than a festival, Naija Flavour 2025 emerged as a dynamic ecosystem that brought together creatives, MSMEs, entrepreneurs, cultural custodians and tourism stakeholders from across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

Each region was reflected through food, fashion, music, dance and artistic expressions that showcased the richness and uniqueness of Nigeria’s cultural identities.

From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere celebrated regional pride and national unity. Electrifying music performances, captivating dances, vibrant fashion displays and a rich spread of indigenous cuisines created a sensory journey across Nigeria’s cultural landscape.

The experience highlighted how regional flavours and traditions can be transformed into viable creative and tourism products.
Throughout the evening, the festival served as a networking and collaboration platform, enabling local businesses, artisans and emerging creatives to connect with investors, policymakers and cultural enthusiasts. This interaction reinforced Naija Flavour’s role in nurturing MSMEs, amplifying grassroots talent and opening doors to new economic opportunities across regions.

Abuja’s role as host city once again reflected its position as a cultural melting pot—bringing together traditions from the North, South, East and West into a shared national narrative that celebrates diversity while promoting cohesion.Naija Flavour, a flagship initiative of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), is strategically designed to tell Nigeria’s story in its entirety.
The brand encapsulates food, fashion, arts and crafts, dance, festivals, music, live theatre, games and immersive tourism experiences—each rooted in regional heritage but unified under a national creative vision.

Speaking at the event, the Director General of NTDA, Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, described Naija Flavour 2025 as both a cultural celebration and an economic platform that positions Nigeria as a leading destination for culture-driven tourism and the creative economy.

According to him, the festival has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most vibrant showcases of regional diversity, culinary excellence, artistic innovation and youth-driven creativity.

He noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in job creation, youth empowerment and wealth generation at the community and regional levels.

Mr. Awakan emphasized that Nigeria’s true wealth lies in its people—their talents, stories, flavours and resilience. By presenting Nigeria as an experience rather than a concept, Naija Flavour projects the country as colourful, welcoming, proudly African and rich in creative possibilities across all regions.

He further stressed that festivals like Naija Flavour play a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s tourism brand, stimulating regional economies, attracting investment and creating sustainable jobs. Beyond entertainment, the platform functions as a creative ecosystem that supports MSMEs, promotes cultural entrepreneurship and drives innovation.

Highlighting global trends, NTDA observed that tourism is increasingly culture-led and experience-driven, noting that Nigeria must strategically leverage its regional assets to compete globally. Naija Flavour, the Authority said, represents a bold and timely step in that direction.

Commending partners and stakeholders, the NTDA DG praised the festival for giving visibility to culinary artisans, designers, performers and creative entrepreneurs from different regions, while fostering unity through shared cultural expressions.

NTDA also disclosed that Naija Flavour is not a one-off event, but a travelling cultural experience set to tour the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Each regional edition will spotlight local identities, flavours, creative strengths and tourism advantages, further decentralising opportunities and impact.

Reaffirming its commitment, Mr. Awakan pledged continued support for cultural platforms, stronger public-private partnerships, enabling policies for creative entrepreneurs and the use of digital innovation to project Nigeria’s tourism brand globally.

As the sights, sounds and flavours of Naija Flavour 2025 captivated Abuja, NTDA called on regional stakeholders to continue investing in festivals, destinations, storytellers and cultural custodians. Every dish, rhythm, colour and performance, the Authority noted, forms part of a broader national story—one rooted in unity, creativity, resilience and limitless regional potential.

Naija Flavour Destination 2025, NTDA concluded, is not just a festival, but a bold regional and national statement—showcasing a new Nigeria confidently presenting its diverse cultural economy to the world.

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