ATPN Leaders Move to Strengthen National Tourism Cooperation Ahead of SWITEX 2026
By Dim Oba, LAGOS, — Growing calls for stronger regional cooperation in Nigeria’s tourism industry took centre stage as the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) National Vice Presidents for the South West and North West regions, Hon. Apata Samson Nunayon and Alhaji Isiya Shinkafi, met in Lagos to strengthen professional collaboration ahead of the South West International Tourism Expo (SWITEX) 2026 and the association’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The meeting, held in Lagos on October 17, 2026, brought together Hon. Apata Samson Nunayon and Alhaji Isiya Shinkafi during the latter’s three-day working visit to the city.
Discussions centred on strengthening cooperation among regional leaders, promoting professional engagement and developing strategies to advance Nigeria’s tourism industry through stronger partnerships.
The engagement comes as tourism stakeholders prepare for the second edition of SWITEX, scheduled for December 4–5, 2026, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The expo, themed “Safe, Smart and Sustainable Tourism: Driving Regional Prosperity Through Innovation and Strategic Partnerships,” is expected to provide a platform for tourism practitioners, government representatives, investors and other industry stakeholders to explore opportunities for destination promotion, investment and sustainable tourism development.
Shinkafi participated in the maiden edition of SWITEX in Lagos in 2025, where he served as a guest speaker and contributed to discussions on tourism development and stakeholder collaboration.
His latest engagement with Apata underscores the importance of building stronger connections across the association’s regional structures, particularly as the industry seeks to expand professional networks and promote tourism as a driver of economic growth.
Beyond preparations for SWITEX 2026, the forthcoming ATPN AGM is expected to provide another opportunity for members to strengthen institutional cooperation, deliberate on issues affecting practitioners and explore strategies for advancing the association’s objectives.
With Nigeria’s tourism sector offering opportunities for investment, employment generation and cultural exchange, sustained cooperation among practitioners and other stakeholders remains essential to translating the country’s tourism potential into tangible economic benefits.
The meeting between the two regional vice presidents highlights the role of professional leadership and cross-regional partnerships in building a more coordinated tourism industry.
As preparations gather momentum, tourism practitioners and other stakeholders are expected to play an active role in SWITEX 2026 and the forthcoming AGM, with the broader objective of strengthening professional relationships and advancing sustainable tourism development in Nigeria.
