Culture and Tourism

ITPN President Adds Voice To Soaring Calls For a Stand Alone Tourism Ministry

Published

3 years ago

August 8, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo has added his voice to the clamour for the creation of a stand-alone Ministry of Tourism and Culture for Nigeria by the current administration under the leadership of President Asiwaju Ahmed BolaTinubu as the fastest means of resuscitating the nation’s ailing economy.

Chief Odusanwo who made the call when he addressed newsmen in the Abuja head office of the Institute, stated that tourism remains one of the most viable non-oil alternative sector to petroleum capable of revamping and sustaining the ailing national economy because it is the sector that stimulates development in terms of income generation, employment opportunities, foreign exchange earnings, taxation as well as the attendant multiplier and spillover effects that the sector has on the rest of the economy.

He stated further that globally, tourism remains one of the greatest contributing sectors to the economies of most countries, accounting for the substantial income generation and foreign exchange earnings, stressing that Nigeria can do a lot better if the necessary recognition and attention are accorded to the sector as a viable economic venture that is equally capable for massive job creation and poverty eradication.

Odusanwo said with the renew hope agenda of the present administration, the tourism sector deserves a prime position and recognition in the pursuits of the non-oil sector economy that will bail the country out of the woods and place it on the path of sustainable economic growth and development.

The ITPN President further stated that a stand-alone ministry of tourism and culture was long overdue for Nigeria against the backdrop of the enormous tourism potentials that the country is endowed with and its vintage position of been considered a preferred tourism destination by the global tourist population, noting that the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration will be doing the country good by focusing and exploring the economic potentials and viabilities existing in the tourism industry.

He further observed that while most African countries with less tourism endowments than Nigeria are doing better utilizing the benefits inherent in the sector to earn high percentage of their GDP from the sector, Nigeria is still lagging behind, leaving it abundant tourism potentials unexplored and untapped, noting that stakeholders and key players of the industry have hope and confident in the Renewed Hope agenda of the present administration to accord the tourism industry a prime place in its economic development agenda by creating a stand-alone tourism ministry.

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Creative Industry

CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026

Published

6 days 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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