Creative Industry
Our Priority Is Youth Empowerment-Kangiwa
Youth empowerment for job creation, poverty alleviation, fight against hunger and technological breakthrough for Nigeria, key to NIHOTOUR’s training activities nationwide were the words of Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) at the Skills Acquisition and Empowerment of Youths and Women in Arts and Crafts at the Oshogbo Campus of the Institute.
Kangiwa who spoke through Dr. Taiwo Famogbiyele, Director Research and Development and General Studies of the Institute at the occasion said what Nigerian youths need now more than anything is skill acquisition that will make them not only employable, but self-employed and self-reliant, noting that it is also the sure way to curb unemployment, achieve innovative creation and eradicate extreme poverty in line with the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda of the United Nations.
He said the objective of the Oshogbo Campus training is to empower participants with the necessary vocational and entrepreneurial skills in Nigerian Arts and Crafts towards creating economic stability and national security, urging the trainees to see themselves as very lucky and fortunate individuals chosen for the training who should at the end be functionally active in the line of the nation’s economic activities.
The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Hon. Adebisi Obawale Simeon, represented at the occasion by Mr. Adeniyi Samuel, Coordinating Director of Tourism in the state ministry said vocational skill acquisition and empowerment will go a long way in bridging the existing gap in relevant skills in the country’s Arts and Crafts entrepreneur for economic growth and development.
He expressed the appreciation of the Osun State government to NIHOTOUR and its leadership for bringing the vital human capital and capacity development exercise to the state, noting that his Ministry will continue to collaborate and partner with the Institute in all areas of capacity development for the Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry in the state.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Coordinator and Head of the Oshogbo Campus of the Institute, Dr. Tijjani Olawale Nasiru said the training couldn’t have come at a better time than now when the vision of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, adding that acquisition of vocational skills as embarked upon by NIHOTOUR, is the surest way to create jobs, fight poverty and enhance the living standards of the people.
The Oshogbo training program under the caption: SKILLS ACQUISITION AND EMPOWERMENT FOR YOUTHS AND WOMEN IN ARTS AND CRAFTS trained participants in batik and adire making, leather works, hair weaving, braiding and styling and shoe making by which they have been empowered to be self-employed and self-reliant.
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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