The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) has projected that Africa’s tourism sector will create over 80 million new jobs in the next ten years.

The Director-General of CBAAC, Mrs Aisha Augie, gave the projection during a two-day international conference organised by the centre on Tuesday in Lagos.

The event is in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, and the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS).

The theme of the event is ‘Cultural Tourism, Creative Economy and Sustainable Development in Africa’.

Augie, while describing tourism as a pillar for economic revival, said the industry was central to the transformation of the continent.

Citing the World Travel and Tourism Council, Augie said: “Tourism contributed $168 billion to Africa’s GDP in 2024 and poised to create over 80 million new jobs in the coming decade.

“They are not just statistics, they represent livelihoods, opportunities and hope for the millions of Africans.”

Highlighting festivals including the Ojude Oba, Osun-Osogbo, Calabar Carnival and durbars, Augie said tourism was more than a journey but an experience of culture.

She noted that tourists were not just visitors but participants, consumers and investors.

Emphasising the potential, she said current projections showed that tourism revenue would reach $25.1 billion in 2025.

“Every visitor who attends a local festival, buys a hand-packed event ticket or watches a traditional performance, is directly investing in Africa’s creative product.

“This connection between tourism and creativity forms a system that powers communities, supports artisans and tells our stories of the global stage.

“Across the continent, our creative industries, film, music, fashion, visual arts, storytelling, design, are thriving.

“They are currently generating over $4.2 billion dollars annually, and have the potential to create up to $20 billion annually,” she said.

Augie said there was a need for the creative sector to be positioned to benefit equitably from this growth.

She, however, said that in spite of the growth, sustainability was low.

She added that growth without sustainability was not progress but a short-lived impulse.

The director-general urged participants at the event to commit actions that uplift Africa’s traditions, honor heritage, empower youths and protect the planet. (NAN) 

Procare Hotel and Suite, in Noforija, Epe Division, has employed no fewer than 30 new staff to tackle unemployment challenges amidst economic crisis.

Mr Segun Osifeko, Managing Director of the hotel, disclosed this in an interview in Eredo-Epe on Friday.

He said that this development had become necessary to support the government employment initiative for the citizens.

“This bold initiative underscores the hotel’s commitment to empowering local communities by creating meaningful job opportunities,” he said.

He said that the recruited staff were professionals in hospitality management, culinary arts, housekeepers, bakers, bar manager, front desk operations, and facility maintenance.

According to him, the recruitment drive was not only designed to strengthen service delivery but also to contribute to the socio-economic development of the host community.

He said that most of the new staff were indigenes of Epe Division and businesses must rise to the occasion in providing sustainable solutions to societal challenges.

“We recognise that unemployment remains one of the biggest issues in our society today.

“By expanding our workforce, we are not only enhancing our services but also providing livelihoods and restoring dignity to hardworking individuals,” he added.

He said that this effort aligns with broader national objectives to stimulate economic growth through the private sector.

Osifeko urged hospitality and tourism owners to emulate this kind of gesture to drive inclusive economic development.

He reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining this employment strategy and hinted at further expansion plans that could create even more job openings in the near future. (NAN)

The Bauchi state government says it has earmarked N4.7 billion to reinvigorate Yankari Game Reserve and Sumu Wildlife Park, to encourage sustainable tourism development.

The government has allocated the fund in its 2025 budget, to fasttrack infrastructure development in the parks and other tourism sites in the state.

Mr Abdullahi Hassan, Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, said this in an interview with on Tuesday in Bauchi 

He said the government was making huge investments to upgrade key tourism facilities, showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage for pleasure seekers and researchers.

Hassan said that N2.7 billion has been set aside for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Yankari Game Reserve and Resort.

He said the project included installation of solar power systems to ensure uninterrupted power supply while modern park facilities would be provided at the cost of  N1 billion.

The commissioner said the government would expend N1 billion on the upgrade of the Sumu Wildlife Park to attract tourists and boost the state revenue base.

Hassan said that a 13.3 kilometre Kafin Madaki – Sumu  Road, an administration block and earth dams would be constructed to support  park operations and provide clean water for animals and human consumption. 

“Sumu Park, known for its friendly giraffes, zebras and other non-threatening wildlife will see enhancement aimed at preserving its unique features.

“Plans are underway to introduce new species to the park, further enriching the visitor experience,” he said.

Also, Nasiru Yusuf, the General Manager, Bauchi State Tourism Board, reiterated the state government commitment to revitalise the wildlife reserves through an ambitious project tagged: “Wildlife Rejuvenation Programme.”

The programme, he said, is designed to herald habitat restoration and restock endangered species as well as strengthen conservation laws. 

“We are focusing on rebuilding the wildlife populations, especially in the Yankari Game Reserve, which has long been a symbol of pride to Bauchi and Nigeria at large.

“Wildlife conservation is not just a government responsibility rather a shared duty for future generations,” he said. 

According to Yusuf, the state government is partnering with international bodies, including the Czech Republic,  and signed  several Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs), to enhance development of key tourism sites.

Similarly, Steven Gassol, a former Head of Forestry Department, said the Bauchi state government was collaborating with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), to innoculate over 12,000 cattle in agro pastoral communities surrounding the Yankari Game Reserve. 

According to Cassole, the current state of wildlife in several protected areas across the country remains precarious, largely due to poaching, habitat loss and climate-related pressures. 

He, however, said the federal and state governments have initiated a series of interventions  to counter the threats.

He said the interventions included the expansion of protected reserves, stricter enforcement of anti poaching laws, and community-based conservation programmes aimed at empowering local communities to take active roles in preserving biodiversity. 

This, he said, was being  complemented by awareness creation activities  to educate the people about the ecological and economic value of wildlife.

Cassole further lauded the synergy between regional bodies towards addressing cross border wildlife trafficking, which has been a major concern of the transnational conservation corridors.

“This collective action represents a promising shift towards sustainable conservation, continued synergy between the stakeholders will ensure long term success