Culture

WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 Repositions Domestic Tourism for Economic Growth

Published

1 year ago

June 26, 2025

WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 launches in Abuja to reposition domestic tourism as a key engine of Nigeria’s inclusive economic growth and sustainable development

WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 is set to launch in the Federal Capital Territory as a strategic initiative aimed at repositioning domestic tourism for inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.

Also read: Oyo state to host inaugural Adire Expo to boost economy, cultural tourism

Organised by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy (FMACTCE) and WelcomeToNigeria Ltd, the two-day event will run from July 23 to 24, bringing together public and private stakeholders at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

The initiative was formally set in motion by Dr Mukhtar Muhammad, the Permanent Secretary of the FMACTCE, who inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee in Abuja on Wednesday.

Committee members were drawn from various ministries, including the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, among others.

According to Muhammad, Nigeria’s rich tourism assets remain largely untapped due to a lack of strategic investment and weak collaboration between stakeholders.

He noted that the expo presents a critical platform to unify efforts across sectors and unlock the vast economic potential of the tourism industry.

“As I keep saying, Nigeria is sitting on a goldmine that we have not yet explored, and that is tourism,” Muhammad said. “It can take us to a level where it will be one of the greatest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP.”

The WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 carries the theme “National Agenda on Tourism Partnership, Infrastructural Development, Institutional Linkages, Growth and Sustainable Development.” It is positioned not merely as a showcase, but as a national call to action.

Mr Isa Sago, President of WelcomeToNigeria Ltd and the National Coordinator of the project, described the event as a unifying call to recognise the transformative power of tourism.

He stressed that the time had come for Nigeria to embrace tourism not only as entertainment, but as a key driver of education, empowerment, and prosperity.

“This pivotal two-day Expo will convene stakeholders from across federal and state ministries, tourism boards, international partners and community leaders,” Sago said. “It is more than an event, it is a national call to action.”

Mr Sunday Bisong, Overseeing Director of the Department of Domestic Tourism Promotion at FMACTCE, reinforced the importance of the initiative, describing tourism as a catalyst for commerce, infrastructure, cultural preservation, job creation and national unity.

He added that the inter-ministerial committee would play a central role in steering coordination and representation across sectors.

“As we inaugurate this committee, let us remember that we are not merely preparing for an event,” Bisong stated. “We are laying the groundwork for a new chapter in domestic tourism growth.”

Also read: NGICE25 expo to strengthen Nigeria-Germany cultural, economic ties

The WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 promises to spotlight Nigeria’s cultural richness, drive public and private investment, and initiate long-term frameworks for a thriving tourism economy.

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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.”