Creative Industry
LIHAT Marks International Women’s Day with Landmark Hospitality, Tourism Awards to Celebrate Professionalism and Integrity
By Joel Ajayi
The Ladies in Hospitality and Tourism (LIHAT) Awards is set to commemorate International Women’s Day with a prestigious ceremony in Abuja, celebrating women who have demonstrated exceptional professionalism, integrity and leadership in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The event, scheduled to hold on March 14, 2026, at the Lake Greenfield Hotel, Abuja, is designed to spotlight excellence and honour female professionals who continue to shape and strengthen the sector.
In a statement signed on Sunday in Abuja by the Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Florence Oyelade Adedayo-Tayo, the initiative was described as a landmark platform created to recognise women who have consistently upheld high ethical standards while contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of hospitality and tourism in Nigeria.
Adedayo-Tayo, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Philoxenia Global Hospitality Limited and popularly known as Lady FOAT, made this known during an interactive media session with journalists in Abuja.
According to her, the awards will celebrate women whose resilience and dedication have enabled them to build reputable brands, mentor emerging professionals, influence policy directions and strengthen industry standards over the years.
She explained that beyond recognition, LIHAT is structured to serve as a mentorship and intergenerational dialogue platform, where young and aspiring female professionals can connect with accomplished industry leaders. This, she noted, will foster knowledge transfer, guidance and inspiration for the next generation of practitioners.
Adedayo-Tayo further stressed that inclusivity and accessibility remain central to this year’s edition, emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance toward discrimination within the industry.
She underscored the need for equal opportunities for all, including Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), and called for the creation of hospitality environments that are welcoming, accessible and empowering.
The awards have received strong institutional endorsements, reinforcing their credibility and national relevance. The event is endorsed by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), the Association for Tourism and Hospitality Consultants in Nigeria (ATHCON), and the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN).
It also enjoys the support of the Office of the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs, FCTA.Dignitaries expected at the gathering include the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA); the President of FTAN; and the Honourable Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs, FCTA, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, alongside policymakers, tourism stakeholders, hospitality entrepreneurs, general managers and other industry operators.
A major highlight of the evening will be the official unveiling of the Ladies in Hospitality and Tourism Conference and Awards brand, marking the formal launch of what is expected to become a leading platform for advocacy, recognition and professional development for women in the industry.
The LIHAT Awards is poised to stand as a defining moment for Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector — a convergence of excellence, empowerment, policy and purpose.
Members of the public, industry stakeholders and corporate partners have been invited to participate in the historic celebration of women who are shaping the future of hospitality and tourism in Nigeria.
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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