Culture and Tourism
Kangiwa Advocates Sanitization Of Tourism, Hospitality Practices By Professional Bodies
The Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Nura Sani Kangiwa has appealed to professional bodies in the tourism and hospitality industry to sanitize professional practices in the sector by registering professionals in their folds and guard against the infiltration of quacks into the sector.
Nura Kangiwa who made the appeal when he received the recently elected executive members of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), led by the National President, Ime Udo on a courtesy visit at the Abuja headquarters of the Institute, said it was about time people discard the erroneous impression that to practice in tourism and hospitality fields is simple and easy without requiring formal training and thus, opened to all comers.
While noting that to practice in any of the professional arms of the industry, one does not only need formal training for a start, but that it must be a continuous exercise to train and re-train so as to be adequately equipped with the requisite skills for competency and proficiency in professional conducts in line with best global practices, adding that NIHOTOUR is readily available to offer quality training services to all practicing and intending members of the public in all tourism and hospitality trades.
The Director General further expressed the readiness of the Institute to partner with all professional bodies in the industry, including NATOP, for massive training of members as part of efforts to overcome the challenges of existing skill gaps in the sector which is hindering effective, efficient and quality service delivery.
Speaking earlier, leader of the delegation and National President of NATOP, Ime Udo, said they were at the Institute to pay solidarity visit on the Director General with the view to exploring possible ways of synergy in the area of manpower training and capacity development of its members, stressing that Nigerian tourism industry is in dire need of synergy between and amongst critical stakeholders and key players of the industry in both public and private sectors.
Udo, who was in company of some Executive Members of the Association which includes, Olubunmi Balqees, Secretary General; Cecile Mambo, Vice President–FCT, Abuja/North Central and Amos Opoola, Financial Secretary, said part of her campaign promises was to take NATOP to its pinnacle as a professional body in tour operations in the country, seeks strong partnership with NIHOTOUR to strengthen NATOP as a force to be reckoned with in terms of ethical professional conducts and practices
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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