Nigerian travel creator, tourism advocate and digital media entrepreneur Lade Ibikunle has been selected as one of the Top Travel Influencers of the Year by the Travellers Awards, earning recognition among the Top 100 Travel and Tourism Icons in Nigeria. Ibikunle has built a strong presence in Nigeria’s travel and tourism space by connecting audiences with destinations, hospitality experiences and travel opportunities across Nigeria, Africa and beyond.
Through her digital platforms, she shares travel experiences, destination guides, hospitality reviews and practical travel insights, inspiring her audience to explore while highlighting the people, places and experiences that make destinations worth discovering. With a community of more than 250,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Facebook and YouTube, Ibikunle has established herself as a prominent voice in Nigerian travel content. Her work has also seen her collaborate with tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel brands and hospitality businesses to promote destinations and experiences to an engaged digital audience.
Beyond destination promotion, Ibikunle is passionate about making travel more accessible and aspirational for everyday travellers, while using her platform to spotlight tourism opportunities and contribute to the growth and visibility of Africa’s travel industry. Her recognition by the Travellers Awards highlights the growing influence of digital creators in destination marketing and tourism promotion, as social media continues to shape how travellers discover and experience destinations.
Since 1996, the Travellers Awards have recognised individuals, organisations and businesses that have demonstrated excellence and made significant contributions to the development of aviation, travel and tourism in Nigeria and across Africa. The awards are organised by Travellers Magazine, first published in 1993 as the first travel magazine published in West Africa, and ATQNews.com, established in 2014 as a leading African travel news platform.
The Travellers Awards 2025/2026 will take place on September 13, 2026, during the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market, scheduled for September 13th–15th at the Eko Hotels Convention Centre, Lagos. Yusuf’s recognition highlights the growing role of visual storytelling and digital influence in destination promotion, conservation awareness and the documentation of Nigeria’s tourism and cultural heritage.
