The Immediate Past President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and Special Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, has extended a warm invitation to travelers across the world to visit Akwa Ibom State this December for the much-anticipated “Experience Ibom Tourism Carnival.”
Speaking on Creative Nigeria, a tourism and culture programme aired on Mainland 98.3 FM, Lagos, and anchored by renowned journalists Frank Meke and Bunmi Bade-Adeniji, Onung described the upcoming event as a transformational tourism initiative designed to project Akwa Ibom as the next global cultural and leisure destination.
“Every destination has a heartbeat shaped by its people, culture, and stories,” Onung said. “Experience Ibom will blend creativity, hospitality, and innovation to redefine how Akwa Ibom is discovered, experienced, and remembered.”
Onung revealed that the Experience Ibom project is a flagship cultural tourism programme aimed at showcasing Akwa Ibom’s rich heritage, inspiring local pride, and generating economic prosperity through sustainable tourism.
He commended Governor Umo Eno for his visionary leadership in consolidating the achievements of past administrations, describing him as “The Experience Governor” who is turning the long-term tourism blueprint into reality.
“From Obong Attah’s infrastructural vision to Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Ibom Air legacy, Governor Eno has continued the transformation. He’s empowering communities and the private sector to take ownership of tourism development,” Onung noted.
According to him, the state government is providing the enabling infrastructure, but the private sector must drive creativity and innovation to make the industry sustainable.
“Tourism thrives on collaboration,” he emphasized. “Experience Ibom connects government initiatives with authentic experiences that engage visitors and empower local communities.”
Lagos’ Emi Eko Project To Revolutionize Water Transportation
Also featured on the radio programme was Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Marine and Blue Economy, who shared updates on the groundbreaking Emi Eko Project, a €410 million marine transport modernization initiative set to transform Lagos waterways.
According to Emmanuel, the six-year Emi Eko Project aims to integrate water transport with the state’s other transport modes the Red, Blue, and Green Rail Lines forming a multimodal transport network that will redefine urban mobility in Lagos.
“The Emi Eko Project will deploy over 70 hybrid-electric ferries, upgrade 20 terminals and jetties, and dredge 140 kilometers of waterways,” he explained. “It will also train stakeholders and ensure no one in the informal sector is left behind.”
He revealed that the project is jointly funded by the Agency for French Development (AFD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union (EU), and the Lagos State Government, with the EU contributing a record €60 million grant the largest of its kind for a single development project globally.
“Transforming a critical sector like marine transport requires huge investment,” Emmanuel noted. “The long-term benefits improved connectivity, new jobs, and expanded trade routes will far outweigh the costs.”
The project’s seven-year repayment plan, backed by Federal Government guarantees, is expected to generate sustainable revenue streams for Lagos State while unlocking new economic opportunities across the West African sub-region.
The joint insights from Onung and Emmanuel underscore the growing synergy between culture, tourism, and infrastructure development in Nigeria.
While Akwa Ibom seeks to position itself as Africa’s premier tourism destination through Experience Ibom, Lagos is leading the charge in sustainable blue economy initiatives with the Emi Eko Project.
Together, these efforts highlight Nigeria’s renewed commitment to building a vibrant, globally competitive tourism and transport economy driven by innovation, public-private collaboration, and community inclusion.