The Advisory Board of JANDS Travel Business School (JTBS), Enugu, has laid out bold plans to reposition the institution as a centre of excellence in tourism and hospitality education, following a strategic session held recently in the state capital.
At the meeting, chaired by Chief Ben Etiaba, FCA, the Advisory Board met to “brainstorm and map out a clear pathway for the school’s future,” with particular emphasis on the institution’s vision for 2026 and the enhanced role of Board members in driving growth and impact.
Mrs Chioma Obi, Executive Director of JTBS, noted that in addition to the forward‐looking plan, the Board reviewed the school’s programmes in 2025 and ongoing preparations for the institution’s 2026 Domestic Tourism Conference.
Founded out of a vision to fill a skills gap in Nigeria’s travel, tourism and hospitality sector, JTBS has positioned itself as a key capacity‐building hub in the South East and beyond.
The school offers short‐course programmes in ticketing and reservations, hotel operations, visa application and procurement, tour guiding and planning.
Mrs Obi recalled that the institution, officially launched in 2023, began with a series of short‐term training sessions and has since evolved.
“The idea of the event is to promote tourism in the South East geo-political zone and Nigeria at large,” she said of the upcoming conference.
The 2025 edition of the Domestic Tourism Conference, hosted at the Ofuobi Africa Centre, Enugu, brought together high-profile stakeholders including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ugochi Madueke; and leading figures from the travel, tourism and creative economy sectors.
Among the keynote addresses delivered was one by Ferdinand Anikwe, Director-General of the Centre for Black Arts and African Civilisation (CBAAC), who said: “Enugu State’s cultural sites include historical landmarks like the Nsude Pyramid and Zik’s Premier Residence, ancient technological sites such as the Lejja Iron Smelting Site, and museums like the National Museum of Unity… Natural sites with cultural significance include the Awhum Waterfall and Milliken Hills, while vibrant traditions are showcased through festivals like the Mmanwu festival.”
In her remarks at the conference, Mrs Obi expressed gratitude to Governor Mbah for infrastructural initiatives, adding that such developments “boost tourism and business opportunities”.
The conference also featured a business panel composed of Mr Hassan Abdullahi Zakari, Mr Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, Mr Chibuzor Hillary Asogwa, Mr Benedeth Cherechi Anigbo, Dr Chidima Chris Oguamanam, and Mr Iheanyi Igboko.
The panelists emphasised that the conference was not simply a dialogue, but “a living celebration of Nigeria’s heritage.”
Delegates from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states brought a rich cultural experience to the two-day event, with palm-wine tastings and masquerade (iti mmonwu) performances that revived Igbo traditions.
The exhibition section showcased an array of artisans, designers, tour operators, culinary experts, and medical consultants, underlining the school’s commitment to linking tourism with entrepreneurship and even medical tourism.
JTBS’ partnership network for the event was extensive, including the Ofuobi Africa Centre, Signature TV, Lantana College of Hospitality, Rotary International, Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (FMACCE), Afia TV, Solid FM, and STPN.
In its communique, the Advisory Board reaffirmed its commitment to “elevating JTBS into a premier destination for tourism education and innovation in Nigeria and beyond.”
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