Events

20th Akwaaba African travel market set to shine in Lagos with youth tourism focus

Published

2 years ago

September 9, 2024

The 20th Akwaaba African Travel Market will take place in Lagos from September 22-24, 2024, featuring the 7th African Youth Tourism Bantaba with Minister Lola Ade-John as Special Guest of Honour. The event will also include the Jollof Rice Challenge and the Fatima Garbati Tourism Outreach Grant.

The 20th edition of the Akwaaba African Travel Market, Africa’s leading tourism and hospitality event, is scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria from September 22 to 24, 2024.

This year’s event promises to be a landmark occasion, featuring a range of exciting highlights and new additions.

One of the major attractions will be the 7th African Youth Tourism Bantaba, where Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, will serve as the Special Guest of Honour.

Also read: Akwaaba boss advocates govt backing for tourism growth

Minister Ade-John’s participation underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable tourism development.

She will deliver a keynote address on “Activating The Youth Tourism Potentials of Africa: A Call To Duty,” emphasizing the vital role of young Africans in shaping the future of the continent’s tourism industry.

The African Youth Tourism Bantaba has become a pivotal segment of the Akwaaba Travel Market, offering young tourism enthusiasts, students, and emerging professionals a platform to engage with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights into the tourism and hospitality sectors.

In addition to the Bantaba, the festival will host the popular Jollof Rice Challenge, kicking off on September 22. Top chefs from hotels across Nigeria will compete for grand prizes, showcasing their culinary skills and celebrating one of Africa’s most beloved dishes.

Another highlight of this year’s event is the awarding of the ₦5 million Fatima Garbati Tourism Outreach Grant. This grant will support selected institutions, brands, journalists, and young tour operators who have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s tourism growth.

The 20th Akwaaba African Travel Market will also welcome new high-profile participants, including Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Nairobi from Kenya, Memorial Healthcare Group from Turkey, and Costa Cruises from Italy. These newcomers will bring fresh perspectives and world-class services to the event.

Set to be held at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, Akwaaba 2024 will celebrate two decades of shaping Africa’s travel and tourism landscape.

The event has a history of hosting notable figures and tourism experts, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Sierra Leone Tourism Minister Dr. Memunatu Pratt, and the Olota of Ota, HRH Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege.

As Akwaaba continues to foster collaboration and innovation in Africa’s vibrant tourism sector, this year’s edition promises to be a transformative experience for all participants.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”