Culture

FCT moves to transform area councils into tourism, investment hubs

Published

1 year ago

April 30, 2025

This will foster inclusive community development and create pathways for sustainable wealth generation in the FCT, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” said FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has announced the FCT Administration’s determined plans to transform its six area councils into vibrant tourism and investment hubs.

Also read: Nigeria’s Abuja creative city set to become Africa’s cultural hub

This initiative was highlighted at the maiden edition of the FCT Area Councils’ Tourism and Hospitality Investment Carnival and Expo held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Social Development Secretariat, Mrs Bunmi Olowookere, Dr Mahmoud emphasized the pivotal role of tourism in driving economic growth and overall development within the territory.

She explained that the expo was specifically designed to showcase and promote the diverse investment opportunities inherent in the FCT’s area councils, aiming to stimulate economic expansion and progress.

Dr Mahmoud underscored the FCT Administration’s commitment to igniting and revitalizing the rural economy by celebrating indigenous culture, business, and innovation.

“This will foster inclusive community development and create pathways for sustainable wealth generation in the FCT, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” she stated.

She further noted that President Tinubu had directed the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to prioritize the development of the culture, tourism, and hospitality potential of the FCT area councils as a key strategy to unlock the rural economy.

This will foster inclusive community development and create pathways for sustainable wealth generation in the FCT, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” said FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud.

Dr Mahmoud commended the Tourism Department of the Social Development Secretariat for organizing the event in direct response to this directive.

The Minister of State assured that the FCT Administration would continue to welcome and actively support innovative ideas and collaborations aimed at developing the territory’s significant tourism potential.

She affirmed the FCTA’s commitment to participating in relevant exhibitions that would further deepen and nurture the revitalization of the tourism and hospitality sectors within the FCT.

The ultimate goal, she stated, is to position the FCT as the most preferred tourist and investment haven for both domestic and international visitors and investors.

On his part, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Social Development Secretariat, Malam Aminu Ibrahim, highlighted the substantial contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP of numerous countries that have strategically invested in it.

Represented by the Director of Administration and Finance, Dr Nasiru Shidali, Ibrahim emphasized that Abuja remains one of the fastest-growing and developing cities on the African continent, ripe with abundant business and investment opportunities waiting to be harnessed.

Ibrahim affirmed that tourism and hospitality are undeniably major employers of labor, and the FCTA is actively implementing all necessary measures to cultivate an investment-friendly environment.

“The strategic location of Abuja and the growing population makes the territory an attractive destination for investors, businesses, and stakeholders,” he said.

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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.

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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.”

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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.”