Creative Industry

Ministry of Art and Culture Partners Emirates to Boost Inbound Tourism

Published

2 years ago

May 1, 2025

Joel Ajayi

In a landmark move to advance Nigeria’s tourism sector, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emirates at the 2025 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

The collaboration targeted at boosting inbound tourism to Nigeria will enable Emirates to leverage its extensive global network of over 140 destinations to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, diverse natural attractions, and vibrant cities to international audiences.

The agreement signed on Wednesday, underscores the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the President’s Destination 2030 Soft Power Initiative, a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a global hub for culture, heritage, creativity, and leisure travel.

At the ceremony, the Minister, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria’s tourism landscape, highlighting the partnership’s potential to drive economic growth, create new opportunities for local communities, and reposition Nigeria as a leading tourism destination in Africa.

“This partnership with Emirates is a pivotal step towards achieving our tourism development objectives. It provides a powerful platform to tell Nigeria’s story to the world — a nation of extraordinary culture, natural wonders, and unrivalled hospitality. By strengthening strategic international alliances, we are creating new opportunities for our local communities, driving economic growth, and repositioning Nigeria as the tourism heartbeat of Africa.”

Commenting, the Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, Adnan Kazim, emphasized the airline’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s unique attractions and warm hospitality to international travelers.

“Since resuming operations to Lagos in October 2024, we have focused on deepening our strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors. This partnership with the Nigerian Tourism Ministry solidifies our commitment to driving international travellers to experience the country’s fascinating history, its urban cities, the untapped, stunning natural world and, of course, the warm hospitality that characterizes Nigerian culture.”

The MoU outlines collaborative initiatives to attract visitors from key source markets, organize familiarization trips, offer incentives to trade partners and tour operators, and develop joint marketing programs. The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) which is the Ministry’s tourism promotion agency, will spearhead these efforts as part of a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the tourism sector and diversify the economy.

The MoU was formally signed by Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, and Abiola Abdulkareem, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister on Sub-National Development and Tourism.
In attendance was the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Dubai, UAE, His Excellency Zayyanu Ibrahim, Faiz Imam, Chief Adviser to the Honourable Minister, Programme Director for Destination 2030 Nigeria Everywhere Initiative, Boye Balogun, Emirates’ Executive Vice President, Passenger Sales and Country Management Nabil Sultan, the airline’s Country Director for Nigeria, Paulos Lagesse, and other senior officials and stakeholders.

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy remains committed to fostering international collaborations, investing in tourism infrastructure, and elevating Nigeria’s global profile as a preferred destination for culture, creativity, and leisure.

Share on Facebook

Creative Industry

CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026

Published

2 weeks 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