Culture and Tourism

Odusanwo Receives Enconmium, Conferred The ATB Global Brand Ambassador

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2023

Joel Ajayi
The President of the African Tourism Board (ATB), Mr. Cuthbert Ncube has conferred the Board’s Global Brand Ambassador of ATB on Chief Abiodun Odusanwo and lauded the uncommon leadership style of Chief Odusanwo in Championing the cause of tourism promotion as head of the ITPN Institute, and in particular, the highlights on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in its annual flagship event; the Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo during the closing ceremony of the 6th edition of the Summit and Expo held in Abuja.

Chief Abiodun Odusanwo who is the National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) and organizer of the National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo in collaboration with public and private sector industrial players and stakeholders of the industry, bagged the award in view of the needed enlightenment campaigns and much promotion and publicity he accorded the AfCFTA regime implementation that if researched papers presented at the Summit are to be adequately adhered to, Africa’s dream of a liberal single market economy would be achieved.

Mr. Ncube who stated that ATB aims at ensuring that Africa becomes one tourism destination of choice in the world, noted that it is the promotional activities of the likes of Chief Abiodun Odusanwo at the ITPN in tourism professional certification and promotional activities such as the National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo that the dream of entrenching Tourism as a vital sectorial player in African economy will be realizable.

In his acceptance speech, Chief Odusanwo who expressed his gratitude for the honour done to him by the leadership of the African Tourism Board, stated further that the award is a wake-up call for him to do more in his efforts at promoting travel tourism and hospitality in Nigeria and Africa as a whole in terms of professional certificate of the manpower that will deliver competent service in the industry in entrench tourism as the preferred sector in national and continental economic diversification drives.

Chief Odusanwo further call on all stakeholders and key players in the industry to cooperate with one another in mutual synergy for the growth and development of the industry, stressing the Nigerian tourism industry should not suffer much policy summersault if players in the industry, particularly the organized private sector are united in their goals for a dynamic and purposeful industry that tourism is meant to be.

Mr. Ncube who was in Nigeria at the instance of the National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo, had earlier delivered a paper at the Summit titled: Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want and the AfCFTA Agreement said Africa has the potentials and capacity in both material and human resources to bail itself out of its scourge of underdevelopment if the people will look inward rather than outside for its developmental solutions.

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Creative Industry

Minister Calls For Increased Investment In Nigeria Creative Economy

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has called on stakeholders to increase investment in the country’s creative sector.

Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, Minister Musawa emphasized the sector’s potential to drive inclusive growth, generate employment, and enhance global competitiveness.

She said that recent statistics show that the creative economy in Nigeria currently contributes approximately 2.3% to the national GDP and employs over 4.2 million people across various sectors. Musawa highlighted the sector’s growth potential, citing the success of Nollywood, the Nigerian fashion industry, and the Afrobeats music genre.

“We must create an environment that attracts both local and international investors to our creative industries. This requires not only financial incentives but also a strong regulatory framework that ensures transparency, accountability, and ease of doing business,” Minister Musawa said.

The Minister also identified challenges facing the sector, including limited access to funding, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory and policy challenges. She urged financial institutions to develop financial instruments tailored to the unique needs of the creative sector and called for increased investment in infrastructure and skills development.

“I urge those present who represent the formal financial sector, to start to make considerations for the unique nature of our sector and its products,” the Minister stated.

Musawa emphasized the need for a supportive and enabling regulatory environment that fosters innovation and creativity. She assured

stakeholders that the ministry would continue to drive changes in regulatory and policy frameworks to support the industry.

“Together, we can build a future where creativity and innovation drive sustainable economic growth and cultural prosperity for Nigeria. As Omoyemi Akerele, Founder and CEO of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files, once said, ‘The creative economy is not just about entertainment; it’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem that empowers our talents and showcases our rich cultural heritage to the world,'” Minister Musawa concluded.

The workshop, themed “Building Productive Sectors: Investing in the Creative Economy,” brought together key stakeholders, private sector investors, and creative entrepreneurs to discuss ways to harness the potential of the creative economy and build a robust and productive sector.

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