By: Manoah Kikekon
LAGOS, NIGERIA – The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) has announced the inaugural South West International Tourism Expo 2025. Scheduled for December 5th-6th, 2025, at the prestigious Lagos Airport Hotel, the event is poised to be the largest convergence of tourism stakeholders, investors, and policymakers ever assembled in South West Nigeria, marking a pivotal moment for the industry's revival.
The announcement was made official on Wednesday by Hon. Apata Samson Nunayon, the National Vice President of ATPN for the South West zone. Through the event's Publicity Chairman, Manoah Kikekon, Hon. Nunayon framed the expo as far more than a conference.
"This is not just an event but a catalyst for unlocking the hidden treasures, cultural riches, and untapped touristic investment opportunities of the Southwest," he stated. The gathering is designed to be a landmark two-day initiative aimed at igniting a new era of tourism-led economic transformation across the region's six states.
Centered on the theme, "Exploring the Power of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in Driving Grassroots Development Through Strategic Collaboration," the expo will shift the focus from top-down development to a grassroots-powered model. This strategy emphasizes empowering local communities to become active custodians and beneficiaries of their cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and historical sites. By doing so, the ATPN aims to create sustainable, inclusive growth that directly benefits the local economy while preserving the authenticity that attracts tourists in the first place.
For domestic and international investors, the expo presents an unprecedented opportunity to discover a portfolio of bankable, community-anchored projects. The South West region is brimming with untapped potential, from the idyllic beaches of Lagos and Ondo to the historical wonders of Oyo, the mystical forests of Osun, the culinary delights of Ekiti, and the rich cultural festivals of Ogun and beyond. The event will provide a structured platform for matchmaking, connecting investors seeking sustainable returns with local practitioners and community leaders who hold the keys to these unique experiences.