Uyo hosts tourism summit on post-oil growth
Government officials, corporate leaders and academics will converge in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on May 14 for the Policy Evaluation and Advocacy Forum (PEAF) 2026, a major summit aimed at positioning tourism as Nigeria’s next economic growth engine beyond oil.
Organised by the Institute of Corporate Leadership and Mentorship (ICLM) in partnership with Appleton Private University and the International Federation of Private Universities, the forum will focus on the theme, “Beyond Oil: Redefining the Future of Nigeria’s Tourism Industry.”
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Etim Ekpimah
Government officials, corporate leaders and academics will converge in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on May 14 for the Policy Evaluation and Advocacy Forum (PEAF) 2026, a major summit aimed at positioning tourism as Nigeria’s next economic growth engine beyond oil.
Organised by the Institute of Corporate Leadership and Mentorship (ICLM) in partnership with Appleton Private University and the International Federation of Private Universities, the forum will focus on the theme, “Beyond Oil: Redefining the Future of Nigeria’s Tourism Industry.”
The event is expected to examine how policies under the ARISE Agenda can be translated into practical strategies to expand tourism and unlock Nigeria’s cultural heritage, geography, and hospitality potential as alternative drivers of gross domestic product.
ICLM Director-General, Dr Emmanuel Eduongo, said the forum is designed to build an ecosystem capable of attracting foreign direct investment through a professionalised tourism sector.
According to him, the initiative seeks to reposition tourism as a strategic pillar in Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
Key participants include the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Anieti Udofia; Commissioner for Sports, Mr Paul Bassey; scholar Dr Saviour Ekpe; economist, Martins Umoh; Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John; as well as leaders in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Discussions will centre on the economic benefits of shifting investment focus from oil to tourism, the growing relevance of sports and cultural events in attracting international visitors, and the urgent need for infrastructure, improved service standards and skilled manpower.
Participants will also tour selected tourism infrastructure projects in Akwa Ibom State to assess how the state is implementing its development framework.
Organisers said the forum is expected to serve as a major turning point in Nigeria’s post-oil economic transition, with recommendations likely to shape national and international conversations on sustainable growth.
