Culture and Tourism

NIHOTOUR In Public-Private Partnership To Strengthen Its IATA Training Capacity

Published

6 years ago

March 2, 2021

Joel Ajayi

In the efforts to strengthen its training capacity in International Air Transport Association (IATA) certification for personnel in the Nigerian Travel Tourism industry, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has engaged the services of a private IATA Authorized Training Centre consultancy firm, Empire Travel Services Limited for collaboration.

Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of the Institute who disclosed this during the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the partnership said if the Institute must up it game as a center of excellence in training, partnership to achieve high-quality service delivery is highly desirous

In a statement issued by the Director, Media & Public Relations Ahmed Mohammed Sule stated that the partnership will further improve on student enrolment, continued professional development for training and capacity building, facilitate interaction between the Institute and the IATA awarding body in Montreal, Canada among other benefits.

Managing Director of Empire Travel Services Limited, Alhaji Ahmed Ojuolape said the partnership will provide efficient and quality service delivery on the part of the Institute to deliver on its core mandate of personnel training in Travel Tourism and Hospitality tapping from the immense in industry experience of the private sector.

Alhaji Ojuolape said his firm is resolutely committed to ensuring that the partnership between the Institute and his firm yields the desired positive results to prove the efficacy and efficiency of a public-private partnership that the present administration yearns for to deliver good services for the benefits of the people.

With this collaborative partnership, NIHOTOUR is once again poised to comfortably maintain the enviable position it has occupied for some years now as the top IATA/UFTAA Training Centre in the entire African continent in fulfillment of the vision and mission of the present Director General, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa.

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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.

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