Hoteliers across the country have tasked government and corporate organisations with leveraging the prevailing peace and harmony in Kwara State to attract financial flows through tourism and hospitality deals.

Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of a planned one-day Hospitality Impact and Tourism conference (HITC 2.0) 2025, the convener of the event for stakeholders in hospitality, Folashade Folayan, called for a change in narratives.

Folashade said that the North Central geopolitical zone is not all about insecurity.

She solicited the cooperation of stakeholders on efforts to rebrand Nigeria to the outside world against stereotyped perceptions, noting that financial opportunities abound in the hospitality business.

According to her, Kwara is among other states in the North Central district, representing cultural harmony, historical depth, and untapped tourism potential of the geopolitical zone in Nigeria.

She added that hosting the second edition of the HITC in Ilorin is to decentralise tourism conversations, “showing that growth and opportunity exist beyond traditional hubs like Lagos and Abuja”.

She said: “In a time when the global economy is shifting, tourism has proven to be one of the most resilient sectors worldwide, a source of jobs, entrepreneurship, and hope.

“For us in Nigeria, the opportunity is clear: every state has stories, culture, and destinations waiting to be harnessed. But this growth requires vision, coordination, and partnerships – which is exactly what
2.0 stands for,” she noted.

She also said that the conference provides a national platform for government officials, tourism professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives to discuss, innovate, and collaborate on the future of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.

“It’s not just a conference- it’s a movement to position Nigeria as a global tourism destination driven by creativity, policy, and people”, she said.

Themed, “Tourism Transformed: Empowering People, Shaping Policy, Driving Prosperity”, Folayan said that the one-day meeting will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

“The goal is to empower people, shape policy, and drive prosperity through tourism and hospitality. The meeting seeks to highlight how innovation, professional development, and strategic partnerships can transform the sector into a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy.

“The conference will showcase Kwara’s cultural and tourism potential, strengthen collaboration between public and private sectors, inspire youth participation in hospitality careers, and create visibility and investment opportunities for local businesses.

“It is intentionally impact-driven, focused on practical solutions, policy collaboration and local-to-global storytelling. It bridges the gap between culture and commerce, celebrating Nigerian excellence while preparing our people and systems for a global audience,” she stated.