“Ipada which is a Yoruba word meaning “To return” is a carnival whoose purpose is to reportedly boost tourism across Africa, while welcoming visitors from around the world.
Speaking at a meeting with African ambassadors at the Presidential Villa Banquet Hall in Abuja, the President, President Bola Ahmed Timibu emphasized the importance of the upcoming event, scheduled to be held in November at the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
Addressing the ambassadors, President Tinubu urged them to take the message of Ipada to their home countries, highlighting its role in strengthening tourism and economic ties across the continent.
“Ipada is designed to boost tourism not only in Nigeria but throughout Africa by encouraging people of African descent to visit the continent, with Lagos and Abuja serving as the primary gateways,” he said.
“We believe that with unity of purpose, we can realize the significant economic benefits that Ipada offers to our continent and individual countries,” Tinubu added.
Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, the initiator of the Ipada project, further elaborated on its vision, describing it as an opportunity to create an African shopping mall—a platform that brings together the best of Africa’s tourism products in one place for the world to experience.
“Our goal is to showcase the entire African continent as one destination, making it easier for people to connect with Africa,” Akinboboye stated. “When you combine all the tourism products in Africa, no other country or continent can compete with us.”
He pointed to the vast potential of Africa, both within the continent and the African diaspora. With over 1.5 billion people living in Africa and an additional 1.5 billion in the diaspora, Akinboboye noted that the Ipada Carnival offers a massive market for tourism, investment, and business.
The President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Nkwereuwem Onung, pledged the support of the private sector for the Ipada Initiative. He revealed that organizations like NATOP are committed to marketing and promoting the festival through their various platforms, helping to ensure that the project achieves its ambitious goals.
Expressing his support for Ipada, the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, stated “Ipada is certainly a big vision that Africa needs”.
The Ipada Festival will be a week-long event featuring a Carnival, fashion shows, live music performances, art exhibitions, and culinary experiences from 54 countries in Africa and 5 countries in the Caribbean.
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