Travel News

By Abdullateef Aliyu

The federal government is targeting $1.5bn foreign direct investment (FDI) from tourism in the next four years.

The projected amount would be three times higher than the $5m realised in the last two years.

The Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, disclosed this while speaking at the closing ceremony of the 20th Akwaaba Travel Market in Lagos.

She said the federal government was determined to unlock the untapped potential in the tourism sector, disclosing that the sector contributed 3.65% ($17.3 billion) to the country’s 2022 GDP, with vast untapped potential.

She said, “The sector employs 1.91 million people, aiming to multiply this in coming years.

“Domestic tourism saw 3 million trips in 2023, up 20% from 2022, with 200 million potential travellers.

“We welcomed 1.2 million international visitors in 2023, boosting foreign exchange.

“Our cultural landscape boasts 1,000+ annual festivals, 1,000+ attractions, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and diverse parks and reserves and over $500 million in foreign direct investment secured in two years, projected to triple by 2028.”

The minister said Nigeria’s young people are her greatest asset in tourism.

She added, “65% of domestic trips in 2023 were undertaken by travellers aged 18-35. Youth-led tourism startups have grown by 150% in the last three years.

“Social media engagement in travel content has surged 300% among Nigerian youth since 2021.

“80% of our tourism workforce is under 40, bringing innovation and digital savvy to the sector.

“These young Nigerians are not just travellers; they are storytellers, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs reshaping our tourism landscape.”

The 20th anniversary of the largest tourism show in West Africa attracted participants and exhibitors from different countries, showcasing the rich tourism potential in Africa.

At the closing ceremony, N5m was disbursed from Fatima Garbati Tourism Outreach to participants at the expo, including five tourism journalists.

By Abdullateef Aliyu

The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has fixed N8.5m as initial deposit for the 2025 Hajj exercise.

The board called on intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to obtain the Hajj form from its office.

The Board Secretary, Mr. Saheed Onipede. made this disclosure in a statement released by the Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Taofeek Lawal, on Wednesday.

According to Onipede, the cost of the Hajj form is N20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira only) while intending pilgrims are to pay the sum of N8,500,000.00 as initial deposit, pending the official announcement of the actual fare for the 2025 Hajj by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Daily Trust reports that NAHCON is yet to fix the Hajj fare while states have started receiving deposit.

He said, “In consideration of the present economic situation of the Country, the Board has decided to make the payment flexible for intending pilgrims to pay the money in installment in order for them to actualise their dream of performing the spiritual obligation in a seamless manner”.

While urging them not to make payment into personal accounts, Onipede advised that interested Muslims should raise a ‘Bank Draft’ from any of the Commercial Banks in favour of ‘Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board’ and submit same to the Accounts department for collection of official receipt for the value of the sum paid.

Onipede gave assurances that should the actual Hajj fare finally announced by NAHCON falls below N8.5 million, the Board would refund them with the balance.

Quoting from the Holy Quran Chapter 22 vs 27, the Board Secretary stated that it is incumbent on every Muslim (male and female) who are mentally, physically and financially capable, to embark on the holy pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime.

He therefore prayed that Allah in His infinite mercy would provide every intending pilgrim the financial wherewithal to actualize their dream this year, even as he prayed for Allah’s intervention in the crushing economic situation presently being faced by Nigerians.

He assured every intending pilgrim of the State Government’s preparedness to always make the exercise comfortable for them through a well thought out activities and packages which include, accommodating them in a conducive hotel nearer to Haram both in Makkah and Madinah and Ziyarah (visitation) to historical sites in Makkah and Madinah.

By Gift Habib

The Economic Community of West African States Commission has announced plans to invest $380m in electrifying public schools and health centres across 18 countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Chad, and other nations in West Africa and the Sahel region.

The project aims to address the chronic lack of electricity access, which affects over 208 million people in the region, particularly in rural communities.

At a stakeholder forum in Abuja on Thursday, the Senior Adviser on the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project at the ECOWAS Commission, El hadji Sylla, outlined the goals of the initiative, which the World Bank, the Clean Technology Fund, and the Dutch government fund.

Sylla explained that the project aims to increase electricity access in rural areas by focusing on off-grid solutions for essential public services.

“The cost of the project is $380m, and we want to promote a new innovative chain to electrify public institutions. Our target is to electrify schools and health centres to improve service delivery.

“We are piloting the project in Nigeria and the Benin Republic. The project covers 15 countries in the ECOWAS region and four countries in the Sahel region,” Sylla said.

“We are targeting schools and health centres to improve service delivery,” Sylla said, adding that the project is expected to be completed in five years across all participating countries, with the pilot phase in Nigeria and Benin to be executed within 18 months.

In Nigeria, the initiative will begin with electrification projects in selected schools and health centres in the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, and Nasarawa states.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, highlighted that Nigeria’s rural electrification efforts have significantly improved through grants and subsidies.

Adelabu, represented by Bem Ayangeaor, expressed optimism that public support will increasingly attract private-sector investment to the sector.

“I do not doubt that the rural electrification space in Nigeria, thanks to grants and subsidies, has grown significantly and will soon reach a stage where public support leverages private sector financing at higher efficiencies than it is presently done.

“A stage where the private sector would be more excited in investing in the electrification space because of the benefits to be gained,” Adelabu said.

The Director of Technology and Science Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Muyibat Olodo, stressed the importance of electricity for modern education, particularly for institutions focused on science and technology.

“Access to power is not a luxury in Nigeria and especially in our public institutions. There is a need for uninterrupted power supply in our schools especially those in the science and technology field.

“With proper implementation, our public institutions in the FCT, Niger, and Nasarawa states will become models of energy resilience, self-sufficiency, and sustainability,” she stated.

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, October 1, 2024, a public holiday. This is to commemorate the nation’s 64th Independence Day.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, interior minister, made the declaration on Saturday in a statement issued by Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary in the ministry.

He stressed that the labour of our heroes past would not be in vain, noting that a “Nigeria of our dream can only be built when we unite.”

Tunji-Ojo congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad, stressing that their sacrifices would not be in vain. He urged citizens to continue to be steadfast in nation-building.

While Nigeria will celebrate its independence on Tuesday, some protesters are gearing up to demonstrate against poor management of the economy and rising hunger in the nation.

An earlier protest in August took place for 10 days, but it is not clear whether there were concrete achievements.

Ahead of the resumption of Emirates Airlines’ flight operations to Nigeria next Tuesday, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has negotiated an agreement on reciprocal rights to ensure that Nigerian airlines commence direct flight operations to the United Arab Emirates, UAE.

A statement by Mr Tunde Moshood, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to Keyamo, said the minister, who led a delegation to UAE to finalise negotiations on the resumption of Emirates, stated that the meeting set the foundation for a new Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA, between both nations. Moshood said this would enhance collaboration between the two countries and establish guidelines for both countries.

The statement reads: “The Honourable Minister, accompanied by his technical team, engaged in constructive discussions with UAE aviation authorities, to ensure smooth reintroduction of Emirates Airlines into the Nigerian airspace next week Tuesday. The new BASA, which was a focal point of the talks, is designed to enhance collaboration between the two countries and establish guidelines for their evolving relationship in the aviation sector.

“Crucially, the negotiations also yielded a significant agreement on reciprocal rights, ensuring that Nigerian airlines will soon have the opportunity to commence direct flight operations to the UAE. This marks a historic development for Nigeria’s aviation industry, expanding international connectivity and offering more options to travelers between the two nations.

“Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Festus Keyamo stated: “Today’s discussions reaffirm our commitment to fostering a balanced and forward-looking partnership with the UAE. We are pleased to have secured reciprocal operational rights for Nigerian airlines, which will not only deepen our bilateral ties but also strengthen the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry. As Emirates returns to Nigeria, we look forward to a thriving and mutually beneficial air service relationship.

“This development follows weeks of diplomatic and technical consultations aimed at restoring direct air travel between Nigeria and the UAE, further signaling the Federal Government’s dedication to ensuring the best possible outcomes for both Nigerian and international travelers. The resumed flight operations by Emirates and the new BASA will play a pivotal role in promoting tourism, business, and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and the UAE, as well as fostering economic growth.”