Culture

Akwaaba African Travel Market Opens with Vibrant Showcase

Published

12 months ago

September 16, 2025

Akwaaba African Travel Market opens in Lagos with 3,000 stakeholders, showcasing tourism, aviation and culture to boost intra-African travel

The five-day event, running until 18 September, has been hailed as a landmark for Africa’s travel and tourism sector, offering fresh opportunities for collaboration, business and cultural exchange.

Also read: Akwaaba African travel market boosts tourism business relationships

Hosted by Akwaaba Travel Market Ltd. alongside partners such as Wakanow, Air Peace, Interswitch, Lagos State and The Gambia, the expo reinforces its role as a hub for promoting intra-African tourism and strengthening aviation connectivity.

Convener Ikechi Uko stressed the importance of the event in bringing airlines, tour operators and tourism boards together to create a more connected and accessible Africa.

This year’s edition features the largest gathering of airlines at any African travel expo, underscoring the growing demand for improved aviation partnerships and regional infrastructure.

A major highlight of Akwaaba 2025 was the Jollof Rice War, where 10 chefs from across the continent competed to present the most innovative take on the beloved dish, with styles ranging from seafood to coconut-infused creations.

The contest celebrated Africa’s culinary diversity while shining a spotlight on Nigeria’s own contribution to global cuisine. NIHOTOUR Director-General, Dr Abisoye Fagade, also praised Chef Hilda Baci for her record-breaking feat of preparing the world’s largest pot of Jollof rice.

Beyond food, the expo emphasised the power of travel content creators in boosting Africa’s visibility on the global stage. Jibola Abati, founder of Taste of African Vibes, called for stronger collaboration between governments and creatives to ensure African destinations receive the recognition they deserve.

Akwaaba also served as a platform for vital discussions on aviation. With a focus on strengthening regional air travel, stakeholders debated how to improve ticketing systems, airline cooperation and travel affordability to make Africa more connected for both tourists and business travellers.

The event further highlighted the importance of regional partnerships in building a stronger tourism economy. By encouraging cross-border travel, visa facilitation and joint initiatives, Akwaaba aims to unlock Africa’s immense potential as a tourism powerhouse.

Celebrations of African talent ran throughout the week, with NIHOTOUR announcing plans to attempt a Guinness World Record in December for the longest dining table, showcasing African hospitality and culinary innovation.

Also read: 20th Akwaaba African travel market strengthens African tourism collaboration

As the curtains close, the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market is being recognised not only as a celebration of African diversity but also as a catalyst for future growth, reaffirming the continent’s place on the global tourism map.

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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.”