The United Nations Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism), in collaboration with the Eko Tourism Foundation (ETF), has announced plans to establish a tourism academy in Lagos as part of efforts to position the state as Africa’s leading tourism hub.
The decision was reached during a strategic roundtable meeting between both organisations held in Lagos, where stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the state’s tourism potential.
According to UN Tourism and ETF, the academy will play a pivotal role in achieving the foundation’s objectives, including showcasing the vast tourism opportunities that abound in Lagos State.
Former Minister of Information and Culture and Chairman of ETF’s Board of Trustees and Governing Council, Lai Mohammed, led the foundation’s delegation to the meeting, while the UN Tourism delegation was headed by the Secretary-General, Mr Zurab Pololikashvili.
Pololikashvili noted that Lagos possesses all the key ingredients to emerge as Africa’s premier tourism destination — from fashion, music, and festivals to gastronomy and nightlife.
“Lagos has everything it takes to become the continent’s tourism hub,” he said, pledging to collaborate with ETF to develop Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) infrastructure in the state.
In recognition of his contribution to global tourism development, ETF appointed Pololikashvili as Patron and honorary member of the foundation.
Earlier in his remarks, Mohammed described as exaggerated the global perception of insecurity in Nigeria, noting that visitors who recently toured the country had expressed regret for believing false and negative narratives.
He cited the success of Detty December, a popular cultural phenomenon that has positioned Lagos on the global tourism map, as evidence of the city’s vibrancy and appeal.
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“More than 20,000 events are held in Lagos monthly,” he said. “This underscores the need for purpose-built event centres and related facilities to support the city’s thriving entertainment and creative industries.”
According to him, developing such infrastructure would enable global music stars like Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid to host major concerts locally rather than taking them abroad.
He further explained that the Eko Tourism Foundation was established to create an inclusive forum for collaboration between government and the private sector on tourism development in Nigeria.
“It is to serve as a partner of choice for both local and international stakeholders in the tourism industry and to champion the global marketing of Destination Lagos,” he said, adding that “Destination Nigeria” would, by extension, drive sustainable socio-economic growth.
Other members of the ETF delegation at the meeting included Erelu Abiola Dosumu, member, Board of Trustees; Dr Tunde Lawrenson, Secretary, Board of Trustees and Governing Council; Mr Karl Hala, member, Governing Council; Ms Abiola Adelana, Treasurer, Governing Council; and Ms Sharon Ashinze, Assistant Secretary, Governing Council.
The UN Tourism Secretary-General was accompanied by Ms Elcia Grandcourt, Director, Regional Department for Africa; Ms Shirin El Tayan, Chief of Protocol; and Mr Kojo Bentum-Williams, Communications Senior Expert.
