24/10/2025
Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong: Driving Inclusive Tourism Growth in Cross River State
As Cross River State prepares to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Calabar Carnival, the state’s tourism sector is experiencing renewed momentum under the leadership of Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, Managing Director/CEO of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau.
Through a new partnership between the Cross River State Microfinance & Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA), Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CALCCIMA), and the Tourism Bureau, plans are underway to boost MSME participation in the tourism value chain.
Speaking ahead of the October 10, 2025 stakeholder engagement, Prince Ekpenyong described the initiative as “a bold step toward inclusive growth.”
“Tourism must work for everyone — from hotel owners to local artisans and nature communities,” he said. “When we build inclusively, we build sustainably.”
Already, over ₦50 million has been disbursed as grants to hospitality businesses, while the Bureau plans to upgrade 50 hotels and restaurants annually to raise industry standards and create jobs.
In addition, the Community Tourism Association will engage local hunters and conservation groups to protect Cross River’s vast green zones — which represent 45% of Nigeria’s total tree cover.
As Ekpenyong’s vision unfolds, Cross River is steadily reclaiming its place as Nigeria’s premier tourism hub — where business, culture, and nature thrive together.
As Cross River State prepares for the 20th anniversary of the world-renowned Calabar Carnival, the state’s tourism engine is shifting into a higher gear — powered by partnerships, purpose, and a clear vision for inclusive growth. At the center of this renewed drive is Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, the ...
