Culture

Nigeria tourism potential needs urgent action – Oghenechovwe

Published

1 year ago

August 16, 2025

Nigeria tourism potential must be tapped now, says CEO Monday Achoja Oghenechovwe, urging urgent reforms, partnerships, and infrastructure upgrades

Nigeria tourism potential must be elevated to a strategic economic priority if the country is to unlock jobs, boost GDP, and improve its global image, according to Monday Achoja Oghenechovwe, CEO of Mondiloh Global Limited.

Also read: FG commits to partnering FTAN, others towards ‘making Nigeria tourism work’

In a statement, Oghenechovwe lamented that the sector remains underdeveloped despite its vast capacity for job creation, cultural diplomacy, and foreign exchange earnings. “Our tourism potential is vast, but we cannot afford to keep leaving it untapped,” he said.

Citing examples from the UAE and South Africa, he urged Nigeria to adopt deliberate policies, invest in infrastructure, and launch global marketing campaigns.

“We can’t keep depending solely on oil when we have natural wonders, rich history, and vibrant cultural heritage that the world wants to see,” he stressed.

Mondiloh Global Limited’s cultural exchange programmes connect Nigerian communities with international visitors, fostering mutual understanding and countering stereotypes.

Oghenechovwe said these initiatives highlight how sustainable tourism can benefit host communities while giving travellers memorable, respectful experiences.

He called for government–private sector partnerships to implement visa reforms, secure tourist routes, and develop world-class hospitality facilities, while also investing in training future tourism professionals.

Under his leadership, Mondiloh Global has grown beyond ticketing to become a bridge between cultures, facilitating study tours, professional exchanges, and heritage tourism.

His prior experience with Italian fabrication firm Fabrizio Carlotto S.p.A. enhanced his cross-border business expertise, he added.

Also read: Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) Collaborates with Nigerian Embassy in Belgium to Host Arts and Culture Festival in Antwerp

With global travel rebounding after the pandemic, Oghenechovwe warned that Nigeria must act now to capture its share of the market: “If we delay, we’ll keep watching others reap the rewards.”

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 month 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.”