The Tourism Editor of the Nigerian Tribune, Mr. Wale Olapade, has been officially named among the Top Travel Communicators in Nigeria at the prestigious Travellers Awards 2025/2026. Organised by ATQ News and Travellers Magazine, the recognition celebrates his long-standing work within the Nigerian travel and tourism industry.
The award was presented at the ongoing Akwaaba African Travel Market (AfTM) at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. Presenting the honour were the High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria, His Excellency Walde Natangwe Ndevashiya; the Organiser of Akwaaba, Ambassador Ikechi Uko; and the Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke. Olapade emerged as a recipient following a competitive public voting process.
Top Travel Communicators in Nigeria: Recognising Excellence Across the Nigerian Travel and Tourism Industry
Organisers noted that the accolade celebrates Olapade’s outstanding contribution to the nation’s destination profile, highlighting his consistent work in promoting travel destinations, products, and cultural experiences.
The Travellers Awards were established in 1996 to honour individuals, organisations, and enterprises that have distinguished themselves in aviation, travel, and tourism across Nigeria and the wider African continent.
The award sponsors carry deep historical roots in regional media. Travellers Magazine, first published in 1993, holds distinction as the first travel magazine published in West Africa. Meanwhile, its digital counterpart, ATQNews.com—established in 2014—has grown into one of the continent’s primary travel news platforms.
Industry Impact and Previous Honours at Akwaaba African Travel Market
The latest award adds to a growing list of accolades for the Nigerian Tribune editor, who also serves as the National Publicity Secretary of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN). Through his weekly specialised Travelpulse and MICE pages in the Nigerian Tribune, Olapade has continuously projected local tourism potential to both domestic and international audiences.
His track record includes several major sector recognitions:
● 2025: Tourism Media Advocate of the Year at the International Tourism Summit in Oyo State, presented by Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal.
● 2024: Outstanding Tourism Advocate Award at the National Tourism Transportation Summit.
● 2021: Best Travel Print Media of the Year and induction into the NANTA Media Hall of Fame by the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies.
● 2020: Best Tourism Journalist of the Year at the Nigeria Tourism Awards during Nigeria Travel Week.
● 2014: Nigeria Media Merit Award (Adamu Mu’azu Prize for Tourism Reporting).
● Additional Honours: Recipient of the Fatima Garbati Foundation Special Grant for Journalists as one of five editors selected nationwide, alongside the Travellinks Merit Award (2013) and the Youth Tourism Club of Nigeria Award for Excellence (2009).
Speaking at the presentation, event organisers stressed that this recognition underscores the vital role media plays in driving domestic tourism, attracting private investment, and enhancing destination marketing across Africa.
