The Nigerian Tribune’s Tourism Editor and National Public Relations Officer of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Wale Olapade, has been honoured with the Tourism Media Advocate of the Year Award at the International Tourism Summit Oyo State 2025 (ITSOYOS2025).
The award ceremony, held on Wednesday, July 24, 2025, at the University of Ibadan Conference Centre, was one of the high points of the summit’s closing events. The award was personally presented by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal, in recognition of Mr. Olapade’s outstanding dedication and significant contributions to tourism, heritage, and cultural development in Oyo State.
In a pre-event letter, the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, commended Olapade’s impact, stating:
“Your work stands as an example of excellence, commitment, and innovation that aligns with our vision of positioning Oyo State as Nigeria’s leading destination for heritage-led investment and tourism.”
Mr. Olapade was recognized for using journalism as a strategic tool to spotlight Oyo State’s tourism potential, especially through his influential Travelpulse and MICE column in the Nigerian Tribune. His reportage has consistently advanced responsible tourism and cultural awareness across Nigeria and beyond.
Beyond this latest recognition, Mr. Olapade is a multiple award-winning journalist with an impressive record of achievements in the tourism media space. He was recently one of five tourism editors nationwide selected for the Fatima Garbati Foundation Special Grant for Journalists.
His numerous awards and honours over the years include:
- Youth Tourism Club of Nigeria Award for Excellence (2009)
- Travellinks Merit Award (2013)
- Nigerian Media Merit Award – Adamu Mu’azu Prize for Tourism Reporting (2014)
- MICE Journalist of the Year (2017 & 2018, ATQ Magazine)
- StayUp Aviation Outstanding Leadership Award in Youth Tourism Promotion (2017)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Travels and Tour Management – StayUp Aviation (2018)
- Nigeria Tourism Awards – Best Tourism Journalist (2020)
- Carnival Calabar Media Personality Award – Cross River State (2021)
- NANTA Media Hall of Fame Inductee (2021)
- Best NANTA Travel Print Media Awardee (2021)
- National Tourism Transport Summit Outstanding Tourism Advocate Award (2024)
Mr. Olapade’s recognition at ITSOYOS2025 further cements his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most influential voices in tourism journalism, contributing significantly to shaping the narrative and development of the industry.
