The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has disclosed that the 2026 summit, exhibition and fashion show organized by the Edo State Tourism Agency is a platform to reposition the state as a tourism destination.
Governor Okpebholo’s wife made the disclosure, while delivering a goodwill message at the maiden edition of the 2026 summit, exhibition and fashion show with the theme: “Edo tourism, the new frontier,” held at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, along the Airport Road in Benin City.
Key Highlights:
- Edo launched its 2026 tourism summit, exhibition, and fashion show.
- The event aims to reposition Edo as a top tourism destination.
- The summit promotes tourism, culture, fashion, and investment.
- Officials said tourism can create jobs and boost the economy.
- The event showcases Edo’s rich cultural heritage and tourism assets.
- The agency unveiled a tourism calendar to drive the creative industry.
Represented by the wife of the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Nimata Ikhilor, the first lady commended the Edo State Tourism Agency for the initiative to bring together government, investors, development partners, creatives, entrepreneur and tourism stakeholders to chat a new bold future for tourism in Edo State.
She noted that the summit is more than an event, but a statement of purpose which reflects the determination to reposition Edo State, as one of Nigeria’s foremost tourism destinations.
“This summit stands as a platform to showcase Edo State’s rich cultural heritage, tourism assets, attract domestic and international investment, strengthen partnership, promote an emerging creative Industry, empower our young people, advance sustainable development and increase tourism traffic into the state.
“Tourism is one of the strongest vehicles for job creation, attracts investment, stimulates enterprise, supports hospitality, promotes art and culture, grows the economy and the creative economy, empowers women and projects a positive image of Edo State and Nigeria to the rest of the world.
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“Edo is blessed with tourism assets capable of attracting visitors across Nigeria and around the world. This summit encourages dialogue, investment, partnership and the exhibition showcases the richness of our heritage enterprise and tourism potentials,” she stated.
Director General of the Edo State Tourism Agency, Vivian Elabor, said the event marks a decisive moment in the journey to reposition Edo State as a leading destination for tourism, arts , culture, fashion and the creative economy in Nigeria and across Africa.
She noted that the event is not a show of fashion, but a celebration of identity, heritage and creating the spirit that defines the Edo people.
Elaborate said the Edo State Tourism Agency has laid a solid foundation for a viable tourism industry in the state as it has successfully developed the Edo State tourism calendar with various tourism activities which will involve everyone in the creative Industry.
