President Bola Tinubu has given his full endorsement to the Ipada Initiative, a new tourism project aimed at uniting Africa through tourism and reconnecting Africans in the diaspora with the continent.
This was announced by Mrs. Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism, during a press briefing at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Ipada, which means “the return” in the Yoruba language, is designed to bring Africans in the diaspora back to the continent, using Lagos as the main gateway.
According to the Minister, this year-round initiative aims to foster deep-rooted connections, encourage investments, and create business opportunities that will benefit both Africa and Africans abroad.
“Ipada is designed to boost tourism in Nigeria and across Africa by encouraging people of African descent to visit the continent, using Lagos as the gateway,” she said.
Mrs. Ade-John explained that the project would serve as a bridge between Africa and its diaspora, helping to build a strong tourism network.
The minister further revealed that Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, the founder of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort and the Motherland Beckons initiative, is the driving force behind the Ipada project.
She commended Akinboboye for his vision and confirmed that the Nigerian government is fully behind the initiative.
“The Federal Government supports this project to help actualize its goals. We believe that with unity of purpose, we can realize the significant economic benefits Ipada offers to our continent and individual countries,” said Mrs. Ade-John.
President Tinubu’s endorsement highlights his administration’s commitment to boosting tourism and deepening connections between Africa and the global African diaspora.
Mrs. Ade-John said that various ministries, agencies, private sector stakeholders, and civil society organizations are collaborating to ensure the success of the Ipada Initiative.
The project aims to draw Africans abroad, as well as global enthusiasts of African culture, back to the continent.
Otunba Akinboboye, the creator of Ipada, outlined the broader vision of the initiative during the briefing.
He explained that Ipada seeks to reconnect Africa with its vast diaspora while simultaneously unlocking the continent’s immense economic potential.
“The Ipada Initiative is designed to facilitate the return of 50 million people of African ancestry to Africa over the next five years,” he said.
Akinboboye emphasized that Ipada would present Africa as a united tourism front by creating an African shopping mall that appeals to more than 1.5 billion people of African descent, as well as half a billion Africa enthusiasts worldwide.
“I am proud to announce that President Bola Tinubu serves as the Grand Patron and Global Ambassador for the Ipada Initiative,” Akinboboye declared.
The initiative will provide essential services for returning Africans, including accommodation, transportation, security, and guided tours to ensure they experience the warmth and richness of African culture.
Apart from tourism, the Ipada Initiative is expected to stimulate economic and cultural exchanges while encouraging investment back into Africa.
“This initiative is expected to drive job creation, increase foreign direct investment (FDI), and strengthen economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world,” Akinboboye said.
As tourists are drawn to experience Africa’s diverse cultures and natural beauty, tourism revenue is expected to rise significantly, benefiting both host countries and the African economy.
The initiative also offers several pathways for individuals looking to invest in Africa. According to Akinboboye, investors can explore holiday homes within resorts built around beaches, lagoons, rivers, caves, hot springs, oceans, and historic sites.
He explained that these holiday homes could serve as personal retreats for investors while also generating income through daily rentals to tourists.
The La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort brand, which Akinboboye founded, will lend its expertise to governments across Africa, helping them transform local attractions into full-fledged tourist destinations.
“Transforming mere attractions into destinations enhances tourist spending and maximizes economic benefits,” he explained.
One of the key highlights of the Ipada Initiative is the annual Ipada Carnival, a 10-day celebration scheduled to take place from November 29 to December 8 at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Lagos.
“The carnival will be a vibrant expression of our shared culture, history, and aspirations, bringing together people from all corners of the globe to celebrate Africa,” Akinboboye said.
The carnival will showcase Africa’s rich cultural heritage, including music, dance, art, food, and fashion. It will also serve as a platform to promote African innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Beyond being a festival of cultural exchange, Akinboboye believes the Ipada Carnival will boost Nigeria’s global tourism appeal, attract international visitors, and increase revenue for the country.
Akinboboye emphasized that the Ipada Initiative is not just about tourism, but also about building lasting economic bridges between Africa and its diaspora.
Through the initiative, the African diaspora will have opportunities to invest in development projects across the continent.
By fostering these connections, Ipada hopes to reverse the brain drain experienced by African countries and turn it into a brain gain, as Africans abroad are encouraged to invest their resources, skills, and expertise back into the continent.
Mrs. Ade-John concluded by expressing optimism about the future of tourism in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, noting that the Ipada Initiative has the potential to create a positive impact for decades to come.
She urged all Nigerians, especially those in the diaspora, to embrace the initiative and take part in the project’s activities.
“With the support of the government, private sector, and the African diaspora, we believe that Ipada can transform African tourism and create a brighter future for our continent,” she said.
The endorsement of the Ipada Initiative by President Bola Tinubu is a significant step forward for Nigeria’s tourism industry and a powerful message to the global African diaspora that their roots are important and valued.
As the project gains momentum, it is expected to strengthen the bond between Africa and its diaspora while driving economic growth and cultural exchange across the continent.
