Private sector mobilises to reposition Akwa Ibom as Nigeria’s preferred tourism destination

Tony Okoh, Uyo

The private sector in Akwa Ibom State has intensified efforts to reposition the state as Nigeria’s preferred tourism and hospitality destination, with stakeholders set to converge on Uyo in September for a high-level tourism and hospitality roundtable.

The one-day event, tagged “NHA/FTAN Tourism Roundtable 2026,” is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at CEEDAPEG Hotels, Uyo, with the theme “Repositioning Akwa Ibom State as Nigeria’s Preferred Tourism and Hospitality Destination” and the tagline “Unlocking Destination Akwa Ibom.”

The initiative is being convened by the Nigeria Hotels Association (NHA), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, led by Obong Daniel Udoh (North-South), and the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, led by Sir Joseph Umoh, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry.

The organisers are receiving strategic consultancy support from Legacy Tourism Development Services Ltd, headed by Amb. Usen Udoh.

According to a statement jointly signed by Obong Daniel Udoh, Sir Joseph Umoh and Amb. Usen Udoh, the roundtable is designed to complement the massive tourism and hospitality investments being implemented by the administration of Governor Umo Eno under the ARISE Agenda.

The organisers said the event was conceived to move Akwa Ibom’s tourism narrative beyond its enormous potential to actual performance, investment attraction, increased visitor spending, employment generation and sustainable economic opportunities for businesses and host communities.

They stressed that the state possesses many of the ingredients required to become a leading tourism destination, including hospitality infrastructure, rich cultural heritage, unique cuisine and improved aviation connectivity.

However, they noted that the major challenge confronting the sector was no longer the absence of tourism assets, but the need for effective organisation, destination marketing, investment mobilisation and monetisation of available opportunities.

Stakeholders target tourism transformation

The roundtable is expected to bring together between 150 and 200 stakeholders drawn from the public and private sectors, including investors, government officials, hoteliers, transport operators, academics, tourism practitioners and media professionals.

The organisers said the conference would focus on practical strategies for transforming Akwa Ibom into a competitive tourism destination capable of attracting domestic and international visitors, major events and fresh investments.

Among the key areas expected to dominate discussions are destination branding, tourism investment, hospitality standards, business and events tourism, community participation, youth and women entrepreneurship, and sustainable tourism development.

The organisers emphasised that the roundtable would not be another talk shop, but an action-oriented platform designed to establish partnerships and develop measurable strategies that can be implemented beyond the event.

According to them, the ultimate objective is to build an integrated tourism ecosystem in Akwa Ibom and establish mechanisms for tracking progress after the roundtable.

Duke to deliver keynote

Former Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the event.

Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government and former President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), will serve as Chairman of the occasion.

Veteran journalist and media consultant, Mr. Etim Etim, will moderate the proceedings.

The panel of experts is expected to include a tourism strategist and delivery adviser to the Governor, Sir Charles Sebastian Udoh; Professor of Marketing at the University of Calabar, Prof. Bassey B. Esu; and a historian at the University of Uyo, Dr. Nkereuwem David Edemekong.
Others are Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of RemLord Tours Ltd, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) and Senior Special Assistant on Tourism to the Akwa Ibom State Governor; and Mrs. Faith Esohe Essien, Vice President, FTAN South-South.

From tourism potential to economic performance

The organisers said Akwa Ibom must now move from simply being recognised as a state with enormous tourism potential to becoming a destination where tourism assets are deliberately developed, marketed and converted into measurable economic value.

They maintained that a properly developed tourism sector could increase visitor expenditure, create jobs, stimulate local businesses, attract investors and generate sustainable opportunities for communities across the state.

The roundtable is therefore expected to examine how government policies, private-sector investment and community participation can be aligned to create a sustainable tourism economy.

The organisers also believe that destination branding will be crucial to changing perceptions of Akwa Ibom and positioning the state competitively within Nigeria’s domestic tourism market and the wider international tourism space.

They noted that effective branding, improved hospitality standards, strategic marketing and the packaging of tourism experiences would be required to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more within the state.

Private sector support
Several private-sector organisations have already thrown their weight behind the initiative.

Sponsors of the NHA/FTAN Tourism Roundtable include CEEDAPEG Hotels, Blueway Ocean Foundation, Archie Nigeria Limited, Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Madina Hotels & Residences and Albert Suites, among others.

Their support underscores the growing interest of private-sector operators in developing tourism as a viable economic sector in Akwa Ibom.

The organisers said continued collaboration among government, investors, tourism practitioners, hospitality operators, communities and the media would be critical to achieving the state’s tourism ambitions.

They added that the roundtable would seek to establish practical partnerships capable of driving tourism development beyond the conference hall.

With the increasing investment in infrastructure and connectivity in Akwa Ibom, stakeholders believe the state is strategically positioned to take advantage of Nigeria’s growing domestic tourism market.

The September 1 gathering is therefore expected to serve as a major platform for stakeholders to articulate a clear roadmap for “Destination Akwa Ibom”, with emphasis on investment, branding, visitor experience, employment and sustainable economic development.

The organisers said the time had come to move “Destination Akwa Ibom from potential to performance” and ensure that tourism becomes a strong contributor to the state’s economic growth.