Creative Industry

NTDA Director-General Appointed Chairman of African Travel Commission

Published

1 day ago

February 24, 2026

In a landmark development for Africa’s tourism sector, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, has been appointed Chairman of the African Travel Commission (ATC), reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in advancing continental tourism.

The announcement was made during high-level engagements following the ATC’s inaugural summit in Lagos. Originally established in 1965 and revived in Ghana in 2021 as a non-profit under Executive Director Dr. Lucky George, the ATC serves as a strategic platform to promote intra-African travel, strengthen partnerships, advocate progressive policies, and position Africa as a unified global destination.

Dr. Awakan’s emergence as Chairman builds on Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to global tourism development, including its historic role in shaping international tourism cooperation and the evolution of the World Tourism Organization. Accepting the position, he pledged to drive sustainable tourism growth, enhance competitiveness, deepen cultural exchange, and unlock broader economic opportunities across the continent through strong public–private collaboration.

He further expressed optimism for Nigeria’s tourism sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that Nigeria is well positioned to lead efforts aimed at improving visa openness, strengthening air connectivity, and fostering regional integration. These priorities were echoed at the February ATC Summit co-hosted by NTDA and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where stakeholders called for coordinated action to accelerate travel and tourism across Africa.

This appointment places Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s tourism renaissance, with plans to convene tourism leaders from across the continent and implement collaborative frameworks that will transform Africa into a premier global tourism hub through innovation, unity, and strategic advocacy.

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Creative Industry

LIHAT Marks International Women’s Day with Landmark Hospitality, Tourism Awards to Celebrate Professionalism and Integrity

Published

4 days ago

February 22, 2026

The Gleamer

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.

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