Culture and Tourism

Kangiwa Promises Training Support For Tourism Institutions In Nigeria

Published

5 years ago

February 10, 2022

By Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Nura Sani Kangiwa has reiterated the commitment of the Institute in partnering with institutions across the country for training and capacity development of professional practices in the Travel-Tourism and Hospitality sector of the country.

Seated Right is Nura S Kangiwa, DG-NIHOTOUR and his Guests, seated Left from Mkar University, Gboko – Benue state led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Z A Gundu during the Courtesy Visit

In a press statement issued by the Director, Media & Public Relations, Ahmed Mohammed Sule said Kangiwa stated this when he received the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mkar, Gboko – Benue State, Prof. Zacharys Anger Gundu who paid him a courtesy visit at the headquarters of the Institute in Abuja, he stressed that partnerships and collaborations the Institute entered with all tourism Institutes and organizations are based on training to enhance capacity building and professional upgrade of practitioners in the industry and not meant to abrogate its responsibilities of certification, registration and licensing of industry personnel and practices in the sector to any other outfit or organization

He refuted insinuations in some quarters that partnership between NIHOTOUR and the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) to include registration, licensing and certification of professional practices in the industry as untrue and a misrepresentation of what the partnership entails, noting that the partnership is a healthy one meant to train NIHOTOUR staff in its campuses across the country as well as Career Guide Training for youths at the 2022 Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo of ITPN

The Director General stressed that as Coordinator of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria, Registration and Certification of professional personnel and practices in the industry is the prerogative of NIHOTOUR and the custodian of the Database of professional practitioners of the industry in the country.

In his remarks during the visit, Prof. Zacharys Anger Gundu, Vice Chancellor of University of Mkar, Gboko – Benue State said the need for the University to have a vibrant Travel Tourism and Hospitality Department necessitated the partnership with NIHOTOUR, saying that the visit was to consolidate on the Memorandum of Understanding between the University and the Institute.

Prof. Gundu who stressed the relevance of the tourism industry in the economic diversification of the Nigerian economy, said Benue state in particular is highly endowed with tourism potentials that requires the professional services of skilled middle and high level manpower to explore the potentials for the socio-economic benefits of Benue State in particular, Nigeria at large.

Share on Facebook

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.

Share on Facebook