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The Eko Tourism Foundation (ETF) was officially unveiled on Thursday with a courageous mandate to make the Tourist Center of Lagos Africa and to report a new era for the Nigeria tourism sector.
By obtaining his address at the inauguration ceremony in Lagos, the President of the Foundation Council of the ETF and the Board of Directors, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the ETF as “a bold and forward -looking initiative designed to transform Lagos into the destination of the most important tourism of Africa”.
He said that the ETF mandate, an initiative of the 137-year-old Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, includes the creation of an all-inclusive platform for the government, the private sector and the interested parties of tourism; Using as a voice of political defense of the tourism sector, positioning Lagos as a partner of choice for global tour operators and guiding the global marketing of Destination Lagos and, by extension, Destination Nigeria.
“Tourism is one of the most powerful growth engines anywhere in the world. The Eko Tourism Foundation will take advantage of that power to guide the economy of Nigeria and create millions of jobs,” said Alhaji Mohammed, who was the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023.
“Lagos has already captured global attention with” Detty December “, our concerts, nightlife, Owamge parties, fashion, food and culture. The Foundation will ensure that this energy is supported and reduced in a global attraction throughout the year,” he said.
By reducing the fundamental role of tourism, the president of the ETF board of trustees observed that the tourism industry currently offers 10-15 million jobs at national level and contributed with 3.6% to Nigeria’s GDP, representing over 17.3 billion dollars, in 2022.
He also revealed that Lagos alone boasts over 2,000 hotels with 70,000 rooms and some of the highest employment rates in Africa.
Citing the World Travel & Tourism Council, he said that Nigeria tourism will grow by 5.4% every year (2023-2030), creating 2.6 million new jobs and adding $ 5.58 billion in revenue.
The former minister said that the vision of the ETF is to make tourism a sustainable alternative to the economy led by Nigeria, while the mission is to bring the world to Lagos “for our history, reference points, food, music, films, fashion and culture”.
On how the Foundation would have reached its mandate, he listed some of his key strategic programs as a trustee fund of the Eko Tourism Foundation to attract investments; Etf Academy for Human Capital Development; Etf International Conference and Exhibition to show Lagos globally; Experiment with the Lagos project with immersive and virtual tours; ETF quarterly publication to share data and insights and ETF clubs for students and the ETF annual festival to cultivate future generations.
Alhaji Mohammed said that the Foundation introduced several subscription categories with tailor -made benefits for the interested parties, including: great patron, chancellor, samples, ambassadors, customers, custodians, pillars, industry, heroes and the face of the ETF.
He praised Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, FCA, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Lagos (Lcci) and founding father of the Foundation, for the vision that gave the way to the ETF.
He also greeted the distinct Board of Trusts – HRH Erelu Abiola Dosunmu (Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos), Capo (Dr.) Nike Okundaye, Prince (Dr.) YeMisi Shyllon, Mr. Karl Hala, Dr. Iyadunni Gbadebo and Dr. Tunde Lawrenson – for their commitment to make the dream.
The President of the Board of Directors of the ETF has sought the cooperation of all the Nigerians in order to unlock the potential of the sector:
“The tourist sector has suffered from inconsistent voices and fragmented efforts for too long. The Eko Tourism Foundation is here to harmonize the sector, involve the government in a productive way, attract investments and create millions of jobs.
“But we cannot do it alone. We need you – players in the sector, politicians, investors, media and every Lagosian – to collaborate with us. Together, we make Lagos not only a commercial hub, but the capital of tourism of Africa”.
