Culture and Tourism

Kangiwa Urges New FTAN Executives To Strengthen Unity Among members

Published

4 years ago

August 4, 2021

The Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa has called on the new leadership of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) to double its efforts at uniting members of the federation for the good of the industry and in the best interest of the country if tourism is to take its rightful position as the number one revenue earning sector for the for the Nigerian economy.

Kangiwa who made the call when newly elected officials of the federation led by its President, Chief Nkereuwem Onung paid him a courtesy visit at the Abuja headquarters of the Institute on Tuesday noted that the long existing internal bickering within the federation has caused the industry serious drawback which has hindered the achievement of any meaningful progress in the development of the Nigerian Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry as the preferred sector in the diversification the economy of the country.

While calling on members of FTAN to stand united as the voice of the Organized Private Sector of the Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry of the country, the Director General promised the resolve of NIHOTOUR to continue to collaborate with stakeholders in the industry to improve the human capacity content of the sector through vocational skill acquisition training and re-training of industry personnel for better quality service delivery in line with global best practices.

Kangiwa then called for collaborative efforts between the Institute as host of the Nigerian Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skill Council with FTAN as the umbrella body of the private sector stakeholders to continuously improve and encourage training of personnel and professional practitioners in the industry as well as work towards evolving a dependable, accessible and reliable data base for the industry labour market and other sectorial information necessary for planning and achieving effective and efficient operations in the industry.

Earlier in his address, Chief Onung said the visit on Kangiwa by himself and members of his Executives was informed by the critical position and role of NIHOTOUR in the training and provision of the needed manpower for a flourishing tourism industry in the country, noting that his tenure as FTAN president will explore all available means to ensure that private sector operators in the industry uphold the principle of continuous personnel training and re-training by patronizing the vocational skill acquisition services that the Institute provides for all cadres of professional and non-professional practitioners in the sector.

Chief Onung who noted with dismay the inability of the country to tap into the potentials and socio-economic benefits of the tourism industry, said his leadership of FTAN will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the resource potentials of the sector are properly and adequately harnessed for the socio-economic gains of the country.

He said if properly tapped, tourism can comfortably replace oil in terms of job creation, poverty alleviation and high-income generation for the nation’s economy, but regretted that this wasn’t possible because of the lip service played in the growth and development of the sector.

Chief Onung’s leadership of FTAN was elected into the office last July 2021 to run the affairs of the federation for the next two years. On the courtesy visit of the President is the First Deputy President, Alhaji Badaki Ibrahim, the Admin Secretary, Mr. Precious Okonji amongst others.

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Creative Industry

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

Published

2 days 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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