Private Sector In Akwa Ibom To Host Tourism Roundtable To Support Gov. Eno’s Investment Drives

The private sector in Akwa Ibom State is set to convene a high-level strategic dialogue to drive investment, collaboration, and measurable growth in the state’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The power-packed event is organised 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. It is a private-sector-led initiative with strategic consultancy support from Legacy Tourism Development Services Ltd and stakeholders.

A press release by the organisers says the event, dubbed “NHA/ FTAN Tourism Roundtable 2026, will 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 Roundtable seeks to move the conversation from tourism potential to performance, profitability, and sustainable economic impact.

The press release says the “Roundtable is a bold initiative aimed at complementing the enormous tourism and hospitality investment being implemented under the ARISE Agenda of the administration of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State.”

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Distinguished speakers to lead the conversation at the Roundtable are High Chief Edem Duke, former Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, FRN – Keynote Speaker; Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, ICT entrepreneur and former President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) – Chairman; and Mr. Etim Etim, veteran journalist and media consultant – Moderator.

Panel of discussants are Sir Charles Sebastian Udoh, Tourism and Hospitality Development Strategist and delivery advisor to the Governor; Prof. Bassey B. Esu, Professor of Marketing, University of Calabar; Dr. Nkereuwem David Edemekong, Historian, University of Uyo; Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, Chairman/ CEO RemLord Tours Ltd /Chairman, Board of Trustees, Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) and SSA on Tourism to Akwa Ibom State Governor as well as Mrs. Faith Esohe Essien, Vice President, (FTAN) South-South.

According to the organisers, the private sector has taken cognisance of the fact that “Akwa Ibom State is rich in tourism assets from hospitality facilities and cultural heritage to cuisine, aviation connectivity, and opportunities in leisure, business and events tourism.

“The Roundtable will address how to effectively organise, market, and monetise these assets into a competitive destination economy,” they stated.

Key focus areas at the Roundtable include: Destination branding and management; Tourism investment and private sector participation; Hospitality standards and visitor experience; Culture, heritage, and creative tourism; Business, conference and events tourism; Tourism infrastructure and mobility; Community participation and local economic inclusion; Youth and women entrepreneurship; Professionalisation and capacity development and Sustainable tourism and destination competitiveness.

The press release further restated that the Roundtable is beyond a talk shop as it is designed to deliver practical outcomes, strategic partnerships, and measurable impact.

“It will establish a sustained platform for identifying opportunities, structuring investment propositions, and tracking implementation to build an integrated tourism ecosystem involving hotels, transport, attractions, investors, communities, and academia.

“It is our firm position that the time has come to transition Destination Akwa Ibom from potential to performance. Tourism must be developed as a viable economic sector capable of attracting visitors, investment, and events, increasing visitor expenditure, creating employment, and generating sustainable opportunities for local businesses and communities,” they added.

The NHA/ FTAN Tourism Roundtable 2026, which is expected to attract 150-200 key stakeholders from the private sector, government, academia, media, and investors, is an invitation to all stakeholders to shape a destination that is competitive, investable, sustainable, and globally attractive.

“Akwa Ibom possesses the assets. The imperative now is to unlock their full economic value,” they added.

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

The press release was jointly signed by Obong Daniel Udoh (North-South), Chairman, Nigeria Hotels Association (NHA), Akwa Ibom State Chapter; Sir Joseph Umoh, Chairman, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter; and Amb. Usen Udoh, Chairman/CEO, Legacy Tourism Development Services Ltd and Consultant to the program.