By: Manoah Kikekon
LAGOS, Nigeria – The countdown has officially begun as palpable excitement sweeps across Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality community ahead of the maiden Southwest International Tourism Expo (SWITEX 2025). Scheduled for December 2025, this landmark event is being heralded by industry stakeholders as a potential turning point, not just for the southwestern region, but for the Nigeria tourism sector as a whole, signaling a new era of economic diversification and cultural promotion.
Apata Samson Nunayon, the National Vice President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) detailde the ambitious vision for the Southwest expo, in an exclusive interview with the Independent Newspaper.
Nunayon expressed strong optimism, stating that SWITEX 2025 is strategically designed to transform the Southwest into a thriving tourism hub in West Africa. He emphasized that the event is about laying a new, sustainable foundation for growth across the entire sector, moving beyond talk to actionable strategies that will boost the local economy.
According to the tourism expert, the expo will comprehensively showcase the region’s immense and often underutilized assets. This includes a deep dive into its rich cultural wealth, stunning natural wonders, and a wide array of untapped investment opportunities ripe for exploration by both domestic and international investors.
Nunayon believes this initiative will serve as a definitive blueprint for how tourism can directly generate household income, significantly increase government revenue, create mass employment, and drive sustainable community development at the grassroots level.
Highlighting the region's readiness, Nunayon pointed to specific attractions that position the Southwest as a premier destination. He cited unique cultural spectacles like the Osun Osogbo festival, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and breathtaking natural wonders such as the Erin Ijesha Waterfalls.
He further noted that the region’s strategic location, coupled with ongoing infrastructural development and significantly improved security largely credited to the efforts of Operation Amotekun has collectively bolstered the confidence of tourists and investors alike, creating a more secure and accessible environment.
Addressing the national scope of the event, Nunayon confirmed that all six Southwest states Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti—will be fully represented, with delegations expected from other geo-political zones. In a related development that underscores the region's growing clout, he revealed that Lagos State has been selected to host the prestigious 2025 ATPN Annual General Meeting, a move seen as a strong endorsement of its rising influence within Nigeria's tourism landscape.
Despite the optimism, Nunayon acknowledged the perennial challenge of insufficient government attention to the tourism sector. He attributed this largely to a fundamental lack of understanding of the industry's vast economic potential. This, he stressed, is precisely why practitioners must continue relentless advocacy for deeper investment and more robust policy support.
He outlined the association's ongoing efforts to mobilize both government and private investors, fostering crucial collaboration, with SWITEX 2025 representing a critical step toward charting a new, prosperous direction for the entire sector, starting from the Southwest.
Reflecting on his tenure since assuming office in November 2024, Nunayon highlighted key achievements, including strengthening relationships across all six states, improving synergy between the tourism industry and academia, and expanding awareness through initiatives like a successful virtual conference. All efforts are now converging on the physical SWITEX 2025, scheduled for December 5th and 6th at the Lagos Airport Hotel.
Looking beyond the expo, Nunayon expressed strong confidence in the future. He expects the event to catalyze new investments in tourism infrastructure, deepen stakeholder collaboration, and promote community-based tourism, ultimately projecting Nigeria more boldly onto the global tourism map.
With enthusiasm building and preparations gaining momentum, advocates believe the Southwest International Tourism Expo 2025 could indeed become the historic catalyst that redefines Nigeria’s tourism landscape and unlocks a new era of sustainable economic opportunities for the nation.