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The travel and tourism industry plays a major role in Nigeria’s economic development. In this interview with BusinessDay, IFEANYI EZEOKOLI, the MD/CEO, Incel Holidays and Tourism Limited, highlights the innovative ways Incel Holidays is redefining the tourism industry in Nigeria. Excerpts:

The tourism sector, to a very large extent, gives the state of health of the country. How has your experience been in Nigeria’s tourism sector, especially in the last 2 years?

The last two years have been both challenging and inspiring. On the challenging side, we have had to deal with rising costs in the industry from flights, visas, and even processing our local passports due to the exchange rates. I would also add that there are also infrastructure gaps and global travel restrictions that have reshaped customer expectations. Some years ago, you could travel to Dubai with N500,000 with flight, hotel, and visa inclusive; now N500,000 can barely cover return flights even to neighbouring Ghana.

But on the positive side, there has been a strong shift in interest towards other international destinations, including our very own domestic tourism. More Nigerians are realising that they don’t always have to go abroad to enjoy rich culture, scenery, and relaxation. Taking a cue from the last ‘Detty December’ in Lagos, seeing how Nigerians and foreigners trooped into Lagos to enjoy the excitement Lagos has to offer. That shift has kept the sector alive and given us hope for bigger opportunities ahead. Besides Lagos, we should remember Calabar Carnival, Obudu Resort, Ikogosi, and other interesting places within Nigeria.

More Nigerians are realising they don’t always have to go abroad to enjoy rich culture, scenery, and relaxation-Ezeokoli

What unique features stand your firm out in the nation’s holiday and tourism sector?

At Incel Holidays and Tourism Limited, we offer more than just travel planning. We provide complete solutions for our clients – end-to-end travel service, which includes affordable flights, smooth visa processing, hotel bookings, transfers, corporate travels, airport protocols, and guided tours. We have holiday packages designed to be fun-filled and convenient. Also, on request, we create bespoke holiday packages so our customers can focus on enjoying their trip while we take care of everything else. This ability to simplify travel for individuals, families, and corporate clients has helped us gain the trust of our customers over the years.

There are so many players in Nigeria’s tourism industry. How does your firm handle competition and disruptions in the industry?

Travel and tourism in Nigeria is a highly competitive space. However, we don’t approach it with fear. Instead, it pushes us to be innovative, go the extra mile to satisfy our customers while staying flexible.

When challenges come up-like changes in exchange rates, flight cancellations, or new rules-we adjust quickly. We negotiate new deals, look for new destinations, and keep open communication with our clients. This ability to adapt, along with our personal touch, helps us succeed in a very competitive industry.

The new government policies concerning exchange rates and subsidy removal created opportunities and new challenges. Could you please share your experience on how your firm tapped the opportunities and addressed the new challenges?

The policies definitely raised travel costs, but they also pushed us to think smarter. We leveraged stronger partnerships with airlines, other agencies, travel vendors, and hotel groups to secure discounted deals. We also expanded our domestic travel options, encouraging Nigerians to visit and see places in Nigeria. We have invested in reaching more customers around the world, using our Dubai branch as a key example. We are also using digital tools to provide our clients with more flexible payment options. While we faced challenges, these also gave us the opportunity to diversify and innovate. Nigeria will be 65 years old on October 1st. What message do you have for the country’s leaders at the federal and state levels?

At 65, Nigeria has much to celebrate, but we also need to look forward. I want our leaders to understand that tourism can be an integral part of our economy if we focus on it. Investing in infrastructure, safety, and promoting our destinations will attract foreign visitors and encourage Nigerians to explore their own country. If the government and private sector collaborate effectively, tourism can create as many jobs and contribute to the nations GDP as much as the oil and gas industry in the next ten years.

The Yuletide season is almost here and it is the time of the year customers expect a unique experience. Any special packages in the pipeline for your current and prospective clients?

Yes, this Christmas we have put together packages that give our clients something truly memorable. For those who want to explore closer to home, we are running a 7-DAY CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE ACROSS FOUR WEST AFRICAN CITIES, COTONOU, OUIDAH, LOMÉ, AND ACCRA.

It is a mix of history, culture, and fun, with stops at places like the Amazon Statue in the Republic of Benin, Casa del Papa resort, a Lomé boat cruise, and Accra’s Kwame Nkrumah Park. It promises to be a thrilling and relaxed road trip in a comfortable air-conditioned bus. The tour runs from 22nd – 28th December, 2025. This special offer allows clients to deposit only 30% by 15th October, and the balance due by 25th November, 2025.

For travellers looking further abroad, we have created a Singapore package that covers four nights of sightseeing, including Merlion Park, the famous Cable Car ride, and a guided tour of Scentopia. Everything from the visa to airport transfers and hotels will be handled by us thus making the trip stress-free. This valid from 1st September 2025 to 20th January 2026.

And for sports fans, December is extra special because of the AFCON 2025 in Morocco from Dec 21 to 31, 2025. Our Package takes you to three live Super Eagles matches, with 10 nights’ accommodation, tours, visa support with flights included.

Our Christmas package this year is different from the norm, as there are options that fit different target markets in the travel space. For those looking for a ONE-STOP travel partner this Yuletide season, Incel Tourism offers you everything from visa assistance and processing to flight tickets, hotel bookings and airport transfers. Our end-to-end solutions make your travel easy and stress-free. For bookings and further enquiries Call/WhatsApp 09113218885, 09113218886 or mail [email protected]

What is the outlook for the holiday and tourism sector in Nigeria?

The future is definitely bright for Nigeria’s tourism industry. Nigerians love to travel and experience new things. Aside from wanting to ‘JAPA’, more people are looking to build their travel history for either tourism or relocation to study or work. The Nigeria travel space has better online booking options and greater awareness of local attractions; the tourism sector is growing. If the government invests in the travel and tour industry and collaborates with private businesses, Nigeria’s tourism industry can become one of the strongest in Africa in the coming years.

As Nigeria celebrates 65 years of independence, writer and social commentator Keem Abdul offers a timely reflection on leadership and democracy through two books that examine the country’s most recent presidents.

Together, the works provide a thoughtful look at the past and present, inviting Nigerians to consider the lessons of leadership as the nation charts its future.

In Scorched Earth: Anatomy of the Buhari Years (2015-2023), Abdul explores the life and presidency of Muhammadu Buhari, from his days as a military ruler to his two terms as a democratically elected president.

The book reflects on Buhari’s reputation for integrity, the challenges he faced while in office, and the lessons his leadership leaves behind.

Abdul writes: ‘The story of Buhari is the story of a man who became the symbol of integrity in Nigeria, but whose government eventually became a byword for competence tested by enormous national challenges.’ (p. 9)

He adds: ‘The Buhari years will be remembered not only for the change they promised, but for the lessons they leave behind for a country still seeking its democratic balance.’ (p. 313)

While Scorched Earth looks back, Abdul’s The King Maker: Chronicle of a Roller Coaster Life turns to the present. This volume follows Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s remarkable journey from his early years and career abroad, to his achievements as Governor of Lagos State, and his pivotal role in building political coalitions that led him to the presidency.

It highlights Tinubu’s resilience and strategic brilliance, while also addressing the controversies that have accompanied his career.

The book observes: ‘Tinubu’s genius lies not only in winning power for himself but in constructing platforms that made others possible.’ (p. 12) It concludes:

‘The question now before Nigerians is whether the skills that brought Tinubu to power are the same ones that can

rescue a fragile Republic.’ (p. 280)

Taken together, the two books form a companion study of leadership at a defining moment in Nigeria’s history.

Buhari’s years in office serve as a reflection on service and the weight of expectations, while Tinubu’s ongoing story raises questions about the future of governance and the meaning of political mastery in a young democracy.

Keem Abdul, the author of both works, is a Nigerian writer and social commentator who focuses on politics, governance, and society.

His books are not written in the language of praise or attack, but as chronicles that encourage Nigerians to reflect deeply on their leaders and on the

Republic itself.

Scorched Earth: Anatomy of the Buhari Years (2015-2023) and The King Maker: Chronicle of a Roller Coaster Life are both available on Mainstack and Selar.

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has reassured Nigerians that visa and passport services will continue to run despite the ongoing partial shutdown of the US government.

In a statement issued on Wednesday via its official X handle, the embassy explained that while its social media accounts would not be updated regularly during the funding lapse, essential consular services remain operational.

‘Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, except for urgent safety and security information.

At this time, scheduled passport and visa transit services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits,’ the embassy stated. The clarification came after widespread concerns among Nigerians that the shutdown in Washington might disrupt visa processing, affect student travel, and delay other consular services.

The shutdown began after US lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to reach a compromise on a federal budget deal. At the centre of the dispute is Democratic Party pressure for expanded healthcare funding, which Republicans have resisted. Trump, defending the shutdown, said the deadlock could help him cut back on Democratic-linked programmes.

While the shutdown will not affect critical services such as the military, postal operations, or welfare schemes like Social Security and food stamps, it is expected to place a heavy burden on federal workers.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that as many as 750,000 federal employees may be sent home daily without pay until a funding agreement is reached.

This marks the first government shutdown since the record-breaking 35-day closure nearly seven years ago, also under Trump’s administration.

Since 1976, when the modern budget process was introduced, the US has experienced 21 shutdowns, most of which were resolved before causing widespread disruptions.

The embassy advised Nigerians to rely on official sources for consular information during the shutdown.

‘Nigerians are encouraged to visit travel.state.gov for the latest updates on visa appointments and passport processing,’ the notice added.

The Oyo State Government is targeting an internally-generated revenue of ?100 billion by the end of 2025 financial year,making it sit comfortably as a leading financial hub in the country.

The present administration has increased IGR to ?65 billion in 2024, and as at July this year, it rises to ?58 billion just ?7 billion short of the 2024 total revenue gathered.

Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information, who said the past administration struggled to reach the ?15 billion mark annually, stated that the ‘implication of the leap in the IGRs is that Oyo State will beat its own record by the end of this year with a target close to ?100 billion.

While confirming the report that since last year, Oyo State has been the best place to live in Nigeria based on quality of life, functional infrastructure, service delivery and security, reacted to a report by the State Performance Index (SPI), handled by a consultancy firm.

He said, ‘Obviously, the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which has improved dramatically in the past few years, is being put to good and productive use for the benefit of the citizenry.

The Commissioner said that ‘unlike most sub-nationals and past administrations in Oyo State, IGR collection has been seamless and has not increased the burden on investors.

‘Rather, it has opened up the economy through agribusiness, infrastructure and tourism. This expansion of the economy, coupled with the ripple effect of consistent payment of ?14 5billion to over 130,000 workers monthly, has had a salutary effect on the increasing IGR of the state.

The Commissioner however revealed that the month of September ?15.4 billion was paid as salaries instead of the usual ?14.5 billion.

Another area of concentration of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration is healthcare, saying 264 primary healthcare centres have been upgraded and over 3,900 professionals recruited, which has significantly restored the healthcare system.

Oyelade recalled that during a courtesy call at the Governor’s Office two weeks ago,Celine Lafocriere, the UNICEF Country Representative said that UNICEF has had more engagements with Oyo State than any other state in Nigeria in the past two years.

The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), is always in search of opportunities to businesses in the oil city. The City Chamber is fighting to create alternative businesses other than oil and gas, though not ignoring the hydrocarbon industry.

Since the days of Emi Membere-Otaji as president, the PHCCIMA has worked to reposition its focus to non-oil businesses especially by attracting foreign business partners to open doors to the business community in the Garden City.

Now, Chinyere Nwoga, the first female president, has revealed to members how best to queue into the wealth avenue of the Chambers. She urged members to dive into chamber programmes to unlock a wealth of business opportunities.

Speaking at the third-quarter General Forum at the PHCCIMA secretariat in Port Harcourt, she highlighted the importance of leveraging the chamber’s resources to fuel business success. Nwoga emphasized that active participation in chamber activities is key to reaping the full benefits of membership. The well-attended forum showcased strategic initiatives, including collaborations with the Lagos City chamber, trade group programmes, and member-engagement opportunities, all aimed at driving business growth.

The forum featured discussions on the upcoming 2025 Port Harcourt International Trade Fair with calls for innovative strategies to elevate its global stature and explore franchising opportunities. Trade group leaders delivered impactful presentations.

Fenibo Fubara, ICT Trade Group chairman, advocated for digitizing chamber processes to streamline resource access and attract new members.

Ofon Udofia, Export/Import Trade Group chairman, urged PHCCIMA to push for reduced bureaucratic hurdles at southern ports, addressing International Maritime Organization (IMO) policies causing rate disparities.

Jack Daboikiabo (SME/NGO Trade Group) and Chief Ernest Elochukwu (Membership Committee) shared their groups’ achievements and upcoming events.

The forum also celebrated the induction of 12 new member-companies, with oaths administered by past President Emeka Unachukwu, an engineer and doctorate degree holder in International Trade. Notable attendees included a past president (Vincent Furo), 1st deputy president Isaac Wonwu, Financial Secretary Emmanuel Ogbonda, and Welfare Secretary Florence Nwosibe, all offering valuable insights for chamber progress.

A highlight was the presentation by #StartupSouth organizers, inviting members to leverage their platform to expand markets, attract capital, and strengthen the Rivers State business ecosystem.

Much of the federal government has shut down after Republicans and Democrats in the Senate failed to agree on rival funding bills to keep it open.

Republicans blocked a Democratic bill that would have funded the government through October and extended Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire this year. Democrats, in turn, rejected a Republican-backed House measure to keep funding flat until Nov. 21. Both needed 60 votes but fell short along party lines.

After the failed votes, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought told agencies to ‘execute their plans for an orderly shutdown.’

Essential services such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and veterans’ benefits will continue, but delays are expected. About 750,000 federal employees may be furloughed daily, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Trump hints at firings during shutdown

President Donald Trump suggested the shutdown could be used to permanently shrink government.

‘We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible,’ he told reporters, hinting at mass layoffs. ‘We don’t want to do that, but we don’t want fraud, waste and abuse.’

What’s at stake if the shutdown drags on

Federal workers and active-duty service members may miss paychecks by mid-October.

Air traffic controllers and TSA officers, deemed essential, could work without pay, as in past shutdowns, some may call in sick.

The WIC nutrition program for women and children could run out of money.

National Parks may remain open but unstaffed, as in the last shutdown.

Democrats insist they will not back a spending bill without health care subsidies. ‘Republicans are plunging America into a shutdown . and risking America’s health care,’ Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

Republicans accuse Democrats of hostage-taking. ‘Senate Democrats have sacrificed the American people to Democrats’ partisan interests,’ said Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

No clear path forward

Republican leaders say they will keep forcing votes in hopes of drawing more Democrats. Three crossed over on Tuesday to back the GOP bill.

The last shutdown in 2018-2019 lasted 35 days, the longest in US history. With both parties refusing to yield, there is no clarity on how long this one will last.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their commitment to building a stronger and more united nation, even as he observed that the country’s economy has improved tremendously.

Oborevwori, in his Independence message signed by Festus Ahon, his chief press secretary (CPS), urged Nigerians to continue to support President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ as well as his administration’s ‘MORE Agenda’, which, he said, were designed to improve the living standards of the people.

He noted that his government was investing heavily in massive infrastructure upgrades across Delta State, advancing a power revolution through a renewable energy mix, and creating an enabling environment to attract foreign direct investments. The efforts, he explained, were aimed at making life more meaningful for Deltans and residents and significantly boosting the state’s economy. The governor also used the occasion to appeal to all ethnic groups in the state to embrace peace and remain united, stressing that peace was a prerequisite for sustainable development.

Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and pledged to continue working for the progress and prosperity of all Deltans.

On October 1st, Nigerian schoolchildren will line up in crisp uniforms, flags in hand, rehearsing patriotic songs beneath a sun that spares no one. Politicians will mount podiums, soldiers will salute, and the nation will once again perform the ritual of independence. Yet for millions of citizens, there is little to celebrate. Sixty-four years after self-rule, the freedom Nigerians were promised feels more like a mirage: a hollow ritual of sovereignty overshadowed by insecurity, inflation, and an ever-deepening cost-of-living crisis. The parades may honour independence, but the people remain shackled by hunger, corruption, and despair.

To be clear, it would be false to claim that nothing has changed since 1960. Nigeria has grown into Africa’s largest economy by GDP, with a dynamic fintech sector, a booming creative industry, and a diaspora remitting over $20 billion annually. The present administration, under President Bola Tinubu, insists that current pains are the necessary price of reform. Subsidy removal, exchange-rate unification, and renewed investment drives are presented as bitter medicine meant to cure decades of economic mismanagement. The government claims to be charting a difficult but necessary path, much like India or Indonesia endured turbulence before their economic takeoffs.

Yet here lies the paradox: Nigerians have heard this story before. From ‘austerity measures’ of the 1980s to structural adjustment in the 1990s, every generation has been told to ‘tighten belts’ for a brighter future. Each cycle leaves citizens poorer while political elites grow richer. Reform is not the problem; execution is. Policies are rolled out with haste, but without social safety nets, planning, or the political discipline to resist capture. The result is an economy where the poor bear the heaviest burden of reform, while the privileged remain insulated.

Consider the current subsidy removal. Yes, it was long overdue. Nigeria could not continue bleeding trillions to subsidize consumption. But removing it overnight, without credible palliatives or an efficient public transport system, has driven transport fares, food costs, and school fees beyond the reach of average families. In Lagos, the price of staples like rice and garri has nearly doubled within months. Meanwhile, the government promises palliatives that barely reach beyond photo opportunities. The policy may be right in theory, but in practice, it feels like punishing citizens for the state’s failure to plan.

Inflation hovers around 30 percent, the naira has lost much of its value, and foreign investors remain cautious despite official optimism. If reforms were meant to restore confidence, why then are businesses shuttering, multinationals exiting, and professionals leaving in droves under the ‘japa’ wave? Nigeria is witnessing not just capital flight, but talent flight. This is the most damning indictment of all: citizens no longer trust their leaders enough to stake their futures on this soil.

Some will argue that independence is about more than economics. Nationhood, they say, must be celebrated regardless of hardship. But symbolism cannot mask substance. Compare Nigeria with peers who began the journey at the same time. South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore have built thriving, innovative economies, while Nigeria is still struggling to provide electricity, secure its roads, or keep its universities open consistently. Even within Africa, Rwanda and Kenya have shown that disciplined institutions and political will can translate to growth. The tragedy is not that Nigeria is poor, but that it has been deliberately impoverished by its own leaders.

This is why the rituals of October 1st ring hollow. We may fly the flag, but the nation is adrift. The challenge is not colonialism; it is our own ruling class, addicted to rent-seeking, incapable of long-term vision, and unwilling to confront the institutional rot that has corroded governance. Until Nigeria wins independence from misrule, all we have is geography, not destiny.

Yet there is still a sliver of hope. It lies not in podium speeches, but in the restless energy of Nigeria’s youth. They are building tech startups, pushing creative boundaries, and finding their voices in activism. They are also voting with their feet, migrating abroad in record numbers. The real question is whether the state can channel this energy inward, rather than exporting it. Can Nigeria build institutions that give its young people a reason to stay? Can reforms move beyond policy papers into live improvements in jobs, security, and justice?

True independence is not declared once a year; it is earned daily through accountable governance, functioning institutions, and an economy that offers dignity. The administration may be right that reforms are necessary, but Nigerians are equally right to demand evidence of progress. Without trust, reforms are simply pain without promise.

As Nigeria turns 65, the lesson is clear: we cannot eat symbolism. We cannot live on nostalgia. Until leaders deliver freedom from corruption, hunger, and insecurity, October 1st will remain a day of flags, not of freedom.

Peter Obi, Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 general election, has urged governments at all levels to act with compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice when dealing with issues affecting the people, especially at this difficult time.

Obi stated this on Wednesday after visiting the Lagos International Trade Fair site that was recently affected by demolition in Lagos

Obi, writing on his X handle, noted that many of the affected traders invested heavily – often through loans – in the hope of securing their livelihoods and contributing to the wider economy.

‘To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive.

‘Today, alongside Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, Tony Nwoye, Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Segun Sowonmi, George Adegeye, Labour Party Lagos State Gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and coordinator of the Obidient Movement Tanko Yunusa, we visited the site of the demolished ASPAMDA Market at the Trade Fair in Lagos, where plazas were pulled down despite traders having obtained the requisite approvals.’ He commended the traders for their remarkable restraint and calm in the face of such painful loss.

This is as he equally commended the senators and the House of Representatives members who pledged to investigate this matter thoroughly and bring to light the circumstances that led to the development, and most importantly, ensure that the situation does not occur in the future.

Obi noted that ‘a society that seeks to make progress must protect enterprise, encourage productivity, and defend the dignity of its citizens.’

According to him, ‘Incidents like this should have no place in a nation that aspires to fairness, stability, and shared prosperity.’

Jose Mourinho was beaten on his return to Stamford Bridge as his Benfica side lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Richard Rios’ first-half own goal ruined Mourinho’s hopes of a dream comeback against the club where he enjoyed his greatest success.

The 62-year-old, who won three Premier League titles and seven major trophies across two spells at Chelsea, was warmly welcomed back by fans who repeatedly chanted his name.

However, his poor record at the Bridge since leaving in 2015 continued, with no wins in seven visits as manager of Manchester United, Tottenham, and now Benfica.

Despite the defeat, Mourinho praised his players’ effort.

‘A defeat is always a defeat, but this one can be a start for us. It was a stable performance,’ he said.

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez denied Vangelis Pavlidis and Dodi Lukebakio in a strong Benfica spell, but the own goal proved decisive.