News

• AkwaabaAFTM
• 0 Comments

Cross River State Wins Top Festival and Most Active Tourism State Awards at Akwaaba 2025

Cross River State has reaffirmed its position as Nigeria’s tourism powerhouse after clinching two major awards—Top Festival in Nigeria and Most Active Tourism State 2025—at the prestigious Akwaaba African Travel Market held at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.

The recognition, conferred during the 21st edition of Akwaaba, Africa’s leading tourism expo, spotlighted Cross River’s vibrant cultural offerings and consistent contributions to Nigeria’s tourism landscape. The state stood out among several African contingents, earning applause for its showcase of rich traditions and entertainment value.

The Akwaaba African Travel Market, an annual event that attracts global stakeholders, investors, and industry leaders, has over the years provided a platform to highlight Africa’s underexplored tourism potential. This year’s edition once again emphasized the need for deeper collaboration and sustainable investment in the continent’s tourism and entertainment sectors.
Cross River’s win comes just months before the globally acclaimed Carnival Calabar and Festival, Africa’s largest street party, scheduled for December 2025. The awards serve as both recognition of past successes and a curtain-raiser for what promises to be another spectacular festival season.

“These awards are encouraging and soul-lifting for a state that has firmly established itself as a tourist destination, not only in Nigeria and Africa but across the world,” said Beatrice Akpala, Special Adviser on Content Development and Archiving.

With its multiple laurels from Akwaaba 2025 and the highly anticipated Carnival Calabar on the horizon, Cross River State continues to cement its reputation as the heartbeat of Nigerian tourism and a cultural hub with global appeal.