Creative Industry

Kangiwa Vows to Address Skill Gap at Tourism, Transportation summit

Published

5 years ago

November 19, 2021

Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism NIHOTOUR, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa has stated that achieving the lofty goals of making the tourism industry of the country a goldmine will remain a mirage until the dearth and inadequacies of suitably trained and skilled personnel to operate the sector are addressed.

Kangiwa who stated this in a Goodwill message at the 2021 Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja said the basis for which NIHOTOUR was set up was to address the skilled gaps of all cadre of personnel in the country’s travel tourism and hospitality.

While commending the National Tourism and Transportation Summit and Expo as another vibrant platform and avenue for the creation of the synergy required for tourism to thrive with transportation been a dependable ally, the Director General said the theme of the 2021 Summit and Expo which is Tourism Transportation Connectivity and Partnership:
Leveraging the AfCFTA Regime for Economic Sustainability was very timely and in line with the desire of the tourism industry for the successful implementation of the AfCFTA trade agreements which promise to open trade and market frontiers for 54 African countries of a population of near 1.5 billion people.

He said when the AfCFTA regime finally takes off fully, it is expected to boost trade and activities in the travel tourism and hospitality industry requiring the services of professionals of the industry to deliver quality services to the large customer population of the African continent.

Kangiwa promised that NIHOTOUR has set for itself the target, in line with its core mandate, to provide high and middle level cadre of manpower personnel that will effectively service the industry bearing in mind that the AfCFTA regime will create enormous demands of services of the industry.

While making bold to say that the initiative of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) to come up with the 2021 event in this manner was quite commendable and should be applauded, Kangiwa called on participants and Exhibitors at the event to come up with workable plans for Nigeria’s participation in the AfCFTA regime a beneficial one for the socio-economic good of the country.

Share on Facebook

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.

Share on Facebook