The Lagos State government says it will leverage the 68th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa, CAF, for tourism development, youth empowerment and expansion of global visibility.
The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, gave the affirmation in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
Aregbe, who attended a high-level engagement on June 10 in preparation for the 68th CAF in Abuja, said the state was committed to building sustainable tourism.
The 68th CAF was held between June 11 and June 13 in Abuja, with the theme “Boosting Social Impact and Education on Tourism through AI, Innovation and Creative Industries in Africa”.
It brought together top government officials across Africa, including Ministers of Tourism and other key players in the tourism industry within the continent and beyond.
Aregbe said: “We are working to showcase the limitless potential of Nigerian culture and creativity to the world.
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“The CAF 2025 will serve as a platform to elevate tourism, arts and culture while also fostering dialogue and partnerships that drive real development.”
He said the sustainability efforts would be done through youth engagement, strategic partnerships and cultural revitalisation.
Aregbe emphasised the critical role innovation and the creative economy play in driving social impact, particularly in urban centres like Lagos.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives by the state’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture aimed at empowering creatives, developing tourism infrastructure and leveraging digital tools to expand global reach.
Aregbe noted that collaboration at the federal and continental levels was key to achieving the sector’s full potential.
Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, was also part of the meeting.
During her opening remarks, Musawa said the future of African prosperity was dependent on how its culture, creativity and technology were harnessed to empower people.
She urged stakeholders to work toward strengthening ties among African states to enable the continent stand tall on the global tourism index.
Source: NAN
