Culture

NCAC, NATOP set to explore opportunities culture, tourism sectors

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2024

NCAC, NATOP set to explore opportunities culture, tourism sectors

National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) have agreed to work together with a view to exploring opportunities for collaborations in the culture and tourism sector.

The agreement was reached recently in Abuja when the newly elected President of NATOP, Hajia Bolaji Mustapha, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the NCAC office.

Other members of the NATOP delegation include the Deputy President, Ms Geraldine Itoe; Public Relations Officer, Mr Onyeka Okwudiri as well as Ms Ogugua Anobili, the Financial Secretary.

NATOP is the private sector operators’ body in the tourism sector of the economy. NCAC is the agency of government in the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economies.

Receiving the NATOP delegation, Director-General of NCAC, Mr Obi Asika, expressed readiness to partner with the group, especially in the area of cultural tourism promoting, as he further promised to activate the agency’s capacities towards ensuring that the country’s tourism assets are fully tapped.

Asika, while welcoming the initiative, also restated the NCAC’s commitment to supporting and partnering with key stakeholders in the tourism industry.

Remarking earlier, NATOP president, Hajia Mustapha, expressed optimism over the potential outcomes of the collaboration with the NCAC under the management of Asika, as she further noted that joint efforts could lead to significant advancements in promoting Nigerian arts and culture to a broader audience.

According to a statement signed by the NATOP’s General Secretary, Otunba Michael Balogun, the courtesy visit was also aimed at fostering discussions in areas of mutual interest and exploring potential collaborations between both parties.

“The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss how NATOP can work together with NCAC to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and boost the tourism sector.

“Emphasis was placed on leveraging the strengths of both organisations to create synergies that would benefit the industry and enhance Nigeria’s global cultural and tourism footprint,” the statement read.

The new executive committee of NATOP emerged after its recently concluded Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, from July 17 to 20, with Mustapha, the CEO of Grand Express Tour (GET) Centre, being elected unopposed, as she moved up from her previous role as Deputy President of the group.

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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.”