The 2025 Igbo Youth Cultural and Tourism Entrepreneurship Conference held on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the International Conference Center, Enugu, brought together young innovators, cultural advocates, policymakers, and creative entrepreneurs for a transformative dialogue on heritage, economic empowerment, and cultural renaissance.
The event, organised by the Ezi-Aha Festival team, carried the theme: “Heritage to Enterprise: Turning Culture & Tourism Into Jobs.”
The conference opened with a warm address from Mr. Chukwuma Harrison, Executive Director of the Ezi-Aha Festival, who expressed appreciation to all partners, speakers, and participants for embracing the vision of the initiative.
According to him, the Ezi-Aha Festival was born out of a strong desire to promote Igbo culture, reshape narratives, and redirect young minds toward the economic opportunities embedded in culture and tourism.
“We need to promote ourselves before anyone else will promote us. As Africans and Igbo people, we must tell our own stories because nobody can tell them better,” he said. Harrison emphasized the dangers of allowing external forces to define the identity of the Igbo people, noting that negative portrayals on international media do not reflect the reality of the industrious, independent, and culturally rich Igbo identity.
He stressed that the conference served as a pre-awareness platform ahead of the upcoming Ezi-Aha Cultural Festival, urging young people to “break away from the shackles of ignorance” and embrace culture as a pathway to economic transformation.
Delivering the keynote address, Amb. Sucex Bright Ibeh, President of Focus Africa International, challenged young people to rethink their approach to opportunities within their environment. Speaking on the theme, he noted with concern that 60 percent of negative narratives about Africans and Igbos circulating online are being pushed by Africans themselves. These narratives, he said, overshadow the continent’s rich cultural heritage, talents, and tourism potential.
“We complain that there are no jobs, yet we overlook the countless opportunities around us,” Ibeh stated. He explained that entrepreneurship in culture and tourism begins with identifying a problem, understanding the target audience, and then seeking funding. He encouraged young people to tap into their heritage as a foundation for enterprise and economic growth.
“Heritage is not just an economic asset; it is an opportunity to discover our identity, understand what works for us, and turn it into sustainable development,” he added.
In her goodwill message, Dame Barr. Ugochi Madueke, Hon. Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Enugu State, commended the organisers for hosting the event at a strategically important time. She urged participants to reflect deeply as the year winds down and to adopt legitimate side enterprises without abandoning formal education.
“Entrepreneurship is fundamentally about taking risks, being creative, and doing everything you do with excellence,” she said. Madueke praised Enugu State Governor Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s leadership, noting that his creative governance approach has positioned Enugu as a rising center for culture, tourism, and enterprise, attracting global investors.
Also speaking at the event, celebrated writer and filmmaker Mr. Nnaemeka Charles Eze (Nani Boi) encouraged young people to remain prepared at all times, stressing that opportunities often come unexpectedly. He urged the youth to start small, embrace challenges, and turn disappointments into stepping stones.
“We are all unique in different ways—your uniqueness is your power,” he emphasized.
The conference also featured a business pitch session, where participants showcased innovative ideas rooted in culture, tourism, and creative enterprise.
In the closing moments, Chief Omah Eziekel Omah delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, appreciating all speakers, partners, and participants for their active engagement and commitment to the vision of cultural and economic rebirth.
The 2025 Igbo Youth Cultural and Tourism Entrepreneurship Conference ended with renewed optimism, leaving young people inspired to embrace culture not merely as history, but as a viable tool for job creation, innovation, and regional economic development.
View Photos:
