The Eko Convention Centre, within the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos, played host to a pivotal gathering on Friday—the Hospitality Business Summit (HBS). The event was a collaborative effort by the Tourism & Hospitality Mentorship for Development (TMD) Brand, Eko Hotels & Suites, and HBS itself, convened under the compelling theme: “Wonders Of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow: Positioning for Global Impact – The Role of Youth in the Industrial Revolution.”

The summit, described as “the largest student gathering in the industry of Hospitality and Tourism in Nigeria,” aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical industry demands, with a strong emphasis on empowering the next generation of hospitality professionals.

The event began with a stirring keynote address by Danny Kioupouroglou, the General Manager of Eko Hotels & Suites. His words resonated deeply with the young audience, urging them to embrace continuous learning and proactive engagement. “Working is more important than waiting for something. There is no top. The moment you stop learning, the moment you stop serving, the moment you stop growing, you start falling,” Kioupouroglou declared.

He passionately articulated Africa’s potential, stating, “Africa is not a continent of waiting. It is a continent of becoming. We are rich. And one of our greatest vehicles for growth, for national pride, for global relevance, for job creation, is right here in front of us and that is in tourism and hospitality.”

He also challenged the prevailing notion of hospitality as a “side hustle” in Nigeria, emphasising its role in storytelling and inviting the world to experience Africa’s spirit. “Africa’s greatest export in the 21st century will not be oil or minerals, it will be hospitality with soul. Don’t play small. Don’t wait for someone to hand you the keys to the future. You are the keys.”

Following the inspiring keynote, a dynamic panel session took center stage, featuring prominent figures from across the hospitality and tourism landscape. This was followed by an interactive Question and Answer segment, providing students with a unique opportunity to directly engage with industry leaders.

The Director of Sales and Marketing at Eko Hotels and Suites, Iyadunni Gbadebo, echoed Kioupouroglou’s sentiments on the industry’s transformative power. She asserted, “If we take on this role and move the hospitality and tourism industry forward together with your commitment, I think that oil will be not that sexy. I think that hospitality and tourism will be the new oil for Africa.”

Gbadebo also envisioned a future where “destination Nigeria” would be actively marketed, with stories and art becoming global commodities.

She said, “There is now a ‘destination Nigeria’ and that’s what we’re going to sell. We will sell our stories to the world and we will sell our art to the world and that’s what people will pay for. And all the other travel agencies across the entire world will have content to sell because we will create them. All the content creators will start posting all the destinations that are available in Nigeria and in Africa and that will be our priority to take over the world.”

While speaking, the Managing Director of Eko Hotels and Suites, Ghassan Faddoul, underscored the urgent need to bridge theory and hospitality practice. He advocated for mandatory internships for students in the hospitality field from the first year of tertiary education.

“You are the next leaders of this nation and of this continent. In order for the schools to become more advanced with their students to be ready for the practical life, it has to be compulsory every year from year one for every student to undergo a training and induction and internship. And at the end of your academic year and graduation, don’t be shy to come forward for an induction, for an internship, and for training. There’s nothing better than preparing yourselves for the real world, by training and training.”

Also speaking at the event was the General Manager of Radisson Hotel Group, Rita Opiah, who stressed the need for institutions to collaborate more closely with the industry, advocating for robust due diligence and monitoring of internships.

Opiah proposed a system where interns are rotated through various departments to gain comprehensive exposure, preparing them to make informed career choices. She also urged the industry to broaden its scope beyond hotels, encouraging awareness and opportunities in all tourism and hospitality sectors.

The Founder of Girls in Tourism Foundation and 2wenty2 Hospitality Inc., Yvonne Joseph, pinpointed a “huge gap between the institutions and the businesses.” She criticised the lack of follow-up on internships and advocated for earlier internship opportunities, underscoring the need for synergy between academic learning and practical application. Joseph implored businesses to foster trust in students, allowing them to express their creativity. She also noted the paramount importance of personal development, urging students to actively seek mentors beyond the classroom.

“You cannot move forward in the industry if you are not constantly learning from those who have been there before you,” she advised.

Finally, Susan Akporiaye, MD/CEO of Topaz Travel and Tours and President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, concluded the session by posing a crucial question to the students: “Are you employable?” She highlighted patience as a vital virtue for success in the industry, acknowledging that not being immediately employable should serve as “food for thought” for self-improvement.

The Hospitality Business Summit served as a powerful platform for inspiring and equipping the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders in Nigeria. The resounding message from industry stalwarts was clear: the future of African hospitality lies in the hands of its youth, who, with dedication, continuous learning, and practical experience, are poised to position the continent for global impact in the ongoing industrial revolution.

Melissa Enoch

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