Tourism has been described as a powerful engine for economic growth, cultural exchange, and social integration with exponential possibilities of transforming the nation.
 Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh made this assertion at the institution’s 2025 celebration of World Tourism Day held on Monday, September 29, 2025, at the KWASU International Conference Centre, Ilorin.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the theme of the 2025 World Tourism Day, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation” indicated that the future of tourism depends on balancing development with environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.
According to him, sustainable transformation requires investments in eco-friendly infrastructure, policies that encourage responsible travel, and stronger collaborations between governments, industries, and academia.
Professor Jimoh said through research, training, and innovation, the institution is equipping the next generation of professionals to reimagine tourism and hospitality as tools for transformation, tools that create jobs, empower communities, and safeguard the heritage for generations to come.
In the keynote address, the CEO of Peace Hotel and Suites, Dr. Samuel Akinlaja noted that Africa was blessed with a circular bio economy with the immense opportunities in turning waste to wealth, linking agriculture to eco-tourism, and reducing environmental degradation.
Dr. Akinlaja, who was represented by Dr. Kamal added that putting communities first, protecting nature, celebrating authentic cultures, harnessing technology and youth innovation, and prioritising education and leadership were pathways to sustainable transformation in tourism.
In her welcome address, the Head of Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Dr. Modupeola Falabi noted that sustainable tourism is the foundation for sustainable development with impact as agent of cultural exchange, driver of economic diversification, and catalyst for innovation.
Highlights of the celebration were performances by the Kwara state Council for Arts and Culture and the Balaro Drummers.
Staff and students of the department had earlier gone on a road trip to notable tourist sites in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital.
