Creative Industry

Tourism: Partnering with institutions will boost manpower

Published

5 years ago

November 11, 2021

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has expressed its readiness to partner with institutions in the country desirous to enhance their capacity and manpower base.

NIHOTOUR said it is ready to help train professionals in the acquisition of skills in Travel Tourism and Hospitality.

The Director General, NIHOTOUR, Nura Kangiwa stated this in Gboko, Benue state during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MoU between the Institute and Mkar University, Mkar – Gboko.

Kangiwa said NIHOTOUR looks forward to a very vibrant relationship between the Institute and the University that will bring about increase in the area of capacity building for lecturers, high skilled and trained professional graduates.

Kangiwa who was quick to mention that the tourism industry has the capacity for job creation and offer of employment opportunities, noted that with increased teaching and learning opportunities in the sector, more youths will be trained in Travel Tourism and Hospitality trades, giving them the opportunities to be gainfully employed or be employers thereby curbing youth restiveness in the country.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Zacharys Anger Gundu, said the University looks forward to establishing a vibrant Travel Tourism and Hospitality Department and it can do this with competent staff to man the Department which is what it partnership with NIHOTOUR seeks to achieve.

Prof. Gundu who stressed the relevance of the tourism industry in the economic diversification of the Nigerian economy, said Benue state in particular is highly endowed with tourism potentials that requires the professional services of skilled middle and high level manpower to explore for the socio-economic benefits of all.

Meanwhile, the authorities of the Mkar University have conferred on Nura Kangiwa the honour of the Ambassador of the University for his dodged pursuit and passion for impacting knowledge and skills in Travel Tourism and Hospitality education on Nigerian youths.

Prof. Zacharys Gundu, Vice Chancellor of the University who disclosed this as part of activities of the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the University and NIHOTOUR, said with the conferment of the Ambassador of the University, Kangiwa now has the responsibility of promoting the ideals for which the University was established as well as offer selfless service for the growth and development of the University as an excellent citadel of learning in the country and beyond, stating further that a date for the formal conferment ceremony on Nura Kangiwa will be made known soon

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Creative Industry

CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026

Published

7 days 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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