Culture and Tourism

Lagos States Sets to host Roundtable CONFAB for Sustainable Tourism Growth

Published

4 years ago

November 23, 2022

Joel Ajayi

As part of it’s determination to grow tourism sector in the country, arrangements have been concluded for a roundtable conference on Thursday 24th – Friday 25th November, 2022 in Lagos to set an agenda and chart a roadmap for tourism development of Lagos State as the preferred destination in Africa.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) revealed that the roundtable Confab scheduled to hold at the Eko Hotels and Suites with the theme: Lagos Tourism: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,
Converter, the Lagos state chapter of ITPN asserts that Lagos state government has shown sufficient commitment and its resilient in growing its tourism potentials.

According to the statement, while tourism was globally plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic that ravaged the industry, Lagos state was able to stand to the challenge of the pandemic by its proactive actions at mitigating the scourge as well as cushioning of the negative economic impacts and hardships on industry operators for palliatives with grants and interest free loans worth One Billion Naira.

“The Institute was inspired by this singular and unique attributes of the Lagos state government in the show of concern for the travel tourism and hospitality industry of the state and its desire, as expressed in many fora, to grow the state tourism potentials for the socio-economic benefits of the people.

“The roundtable conference is to further put Lagos state in public and private sector domain with the view to charting the way of consolidating the industry’s position and open a new chapter of progression after the Covid-19 pandemic for accelerated recovery and boom.Sub themes expected to be deliberated up on includes.

“The role of the gatekeepers (police, customs, immigration, Civil Defense orps) the challenges to building a flourishing tourism industry in Lagos State Developing a road map for Lagos tourism industry connectivity: Achieving sustainable tourism development in Lagos State through industry connectivity, and Building efficient and innovative tourism transportation system in Lagos State: the way forward. Others are The Symbiotic-relationship of tourism and the environment: the challenges and prospects for tourism in Lagos State.

“The role of Local Government Councils in Tourism development in Lagos State: Empowering Community participation. Strategies for meeting the Lagos State hospitality and tourism industry skill needs.

“Tourism Plan: Implementation, prospect and challenges and Technology and Tourism in the 21st century: The Way Forward for Lagos Tourism.

However, the event is expected to have in attendance key players in the tourism industry of the country including the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) Nkereuwem Onung, Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)Others are, Mr. Folorunsho Coker, Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria ITPN and Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, Founder/CEO, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort.

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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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