By Peter Dansu The countdown has begun as excitement sweeps across Nigeria’s tourism community ahead of the maiden Southwest International...
By Peter Dansu
The countdown has begun as excitement sweeps across Nigeria’s tourism community ahead of the maiden Southwest International Tourism Expo scheduled for December 2025. Stakeholders say the event could mark a turning point for the region and the country as a whole.
Apata Samson Nunayon, National Vice President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria for the Southwest, shared this optimism during an interview with Independent Newspaper. He said the expo is designed to transform the Southwest into a thriving tourism hub while laying a new foundation for sustainable growth across the sector.
According to him, the expo will showcase the region’s cultural wealth, its natural wonders, and a wide range of untapped investment opportunities waiting to be explored by local and international investors. He believes the initiative will serve as a blueprint for how tourism can generate income for households, increase government revenue, create jobs, and drive community development at the grassroots.
Nunayon explained that the South West is blessed with unique cultural festivals, historical sites and breathtaking natural attractions such as the Osun Osogbo festival and the Erin Ijesa waterfalls. He noted that the region’s strategic location and growing infrastructural development make it even more attractive to tourists.
He added that security improvements in the region, especially through the efforts of Operation Amotekun, have further strengthened the confidence of both tourists and investors.
Speaking on national participation, Nunayon confirmed that all Southwest states will be fully represented, alongside delegations from other parts of the country. He revealed that Lagos has been selected as the host state for the 2025 ATPN Annual General Meeting, a development he considers a strong endorsement of the region’s rising influence in tourism.
On the challenge of poor government attention to the tourism sector, Nunayon said the problem stems largely from a lack of understanding of the industry’s true economic potential. He stressed that this is why practitioners must continue to advocate and push for deeper investment and policy support.
He highlighted the association’s efforts in mobilising both government and private investors and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. He described SWITEX 2025 as an important step toward charting a new direction for the entire sector, starting from the Southwest.
Nunayon noted that Nigeria has over a thousand tourism sites and more than 365 festivals spread across its states. He said this variety represents enormous potential for national growth if properly harnessed.
Reflecting on his achievements since assuming office in November 2024, he said he has strengthened relationships across all six Southwest states, improved synergy between the tourism industry and academia, and significantly expanded awareness about tourism opportunities in the region. He also mentioned the successful hosting of a virtual Southwest conference and ongoing plans for the physical expo holding on December 5th and 6th at the Lagos Airport Hotel.
Looking ahead, Nunayon expects the upcoming Expo to attract new investments in tourism infrastructure, deepen collaboration among stakeholders, promote community-based tourism, and project Nigeria more boldly on the global tourism map.
He expressed confidence that within the next two years, Nigeria’s tourism sector can become a major contributor to national GDP if investments increase, service quality improves, and the country positions itself more effectively as a leading destination in West Africa.
With enthusiasm building and preparations gaining momentum, tourism advocates say the Southwest International Tourism Expo 2025 could become a historic event that redefines Nigeria’s tourism landscape and unlocks a new era of economic opportunities.
No comments