Events

Nigeria to Miss 2025 World Travel Market London

Published

10 months ago

November 4, 2025

Nigeria will not attend the 2025 World Travel Market London due to funding challenges, losing a key chance to showcase its tourism potential globally

Nigeria is set to miss this year’s edition of the World Travel Market (WTM) London, the world’s most influential global travel and tourism event, scheduled to take place from Tuesday, November 4 to 7, 2025, at ExCel London, Custom House.

Also read: Akwaaba African Travel Market Expands into East Africa

A source at the Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism, Arts and Creative Economy confirmed that the country would not exhibit this year due to paucity of funds.

In previous editions, private sector tourism bodies such as the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), and the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) led Nigeria’s participation, showcasing the nation’s travel assets and opportunities.

However, after the private sector handed over coordination to the Ministry last year, expectations were high for a stronger national presence in 2025. Those hopes have now been dashed.

An aide to the Minister of Tourism confirmed the decision, noting that financial constraints made participation impossible this year.

The absence means Nigeria will miss a valuable opportunity to promote its tourist destinations, cultural heritage, and investment potential to a global audience of travel professionals, investors, and policymakers.

This year’s WTM London is centred around technology and innovation, with a special Technology Summit slated for Wednesday, November 5, at the Purple Stage.

The summit will explore how digital tools can help travel suppliers adapt to disruption and shifting global trends.

Curated by Timothy O’Neil-Dunne, WTM’s technology advisor and a founding team member of Expedia, the programme will bring together global travel executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers to discuss the event’s unifying theme “Reimagining Travel in a Changing World.”

Also read: Akwaaba African Travel Market Opens with Vibrant Showcase

Nigeria’s absence from such a high-profile forum underscores the continuing challenges facing its tourism sector, particularly in government-led international engagement and funding sustainability.

Up Next

Design Week Lagos 2025 Celebrates African Creativity

Don't Miss

Rotary Club of Ikeja Township marks official charter, vows community impact

Click to comment

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 hours ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”