Culture and Tourism

NIHOTOUR In Public-Private Partnership To Strengthen Its IATA Training Capacity

Published

6 years ago

March 2, 2021

Joel Ajayi

In the efforts to strengthen its training capacity in International Air Transport Association (IATA) certification for personnel in the Nigerian Travel Tourism industry, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has engaged the services of a private IATA Authorized Training Centre consultancy firm, Empire Travel Services Limited for collaboration.

Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of the Institute who disclosed this during the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the partnership said if the Institute must up it game as a center of excellence in training, partnership to achieve high-quality service delivery is highly desirous

In a statement issued by the Director, Media & Public Relations Ahmed Mohammed Sule stated that the partnership will further improve on student enrolment, continued professional development for training and capacity building, facilitate interaction between the Institute and the IATA awarding body in Montreal, Canada among other benefits.

Managing Director of Empire Travel Services Limited, Alhaji Ahmed Ojuolape said the partnership will provide efficient and quality service delivery on the part of the Institute to deliver on its core mandate of personnel training in Travel Tourism and Hospitality tapping from the immense in industry experience of the private sector.

Alhaji Ojuolape said his firm is resolutely committed to ensuring that the partnership between the Institute and his firm yields the desired positive results to prove the efficacy and efficiency of a public-private partnership that the present administration yearns for to deliver good services for the benefits of the people.

With this collaborative partnership, NIHOTOUR is once again poised to comfortably maintain the enviable position it has occupied for some years now as the top IATA/UFTAA Training Centre in the entire African continent in fulfillment of the vision and mission of the present Director General, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa.

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Culture and Tourism

Awakan Marks First Anniversary as NTDA DG, Charts New Course for Tourism Sector

Published

1 week ago

September 24, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) enters its second year under the leadership of the Director-General, Mr. Ola Awakan, the focus will remain on building partnerships and converting Nigeria’s tourism assets into greater opportunities for investment and accelerated economic growth.

That simple message framed the one year scorecard presented on Wednesday by Mr. Awakan during NTDA Tourism Week 2026 and activities leading to World Tourism Day held in Abuja.

“Nigeria does not lack tourism assets,” Awakan said. “What is required is a system that connects these assets to investments, jobs, technology, enterprise and sustainable economic value.” He added.

Reeling out his scorecard, Awakan observed that over the past year, the Authority concentrated on stakeholder engagement, innovation, investment facilitation, digital transformation, destination marketing, tourism intelligence and institution building.

He explained that efforts have been made towards deeper collaboration with government institutions, traditional institutions, private-sector operators, development partners, financial institutions, professional bodies, communities and international partners.

On the digital front, the NTDA boss said the Authority has advanced NITOUREY, a dedicated tourism streaming platform and content ecosystem meant to take Nigerian destinations, culture and experiences to wider audiences, in alignment with this year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Digital agenda and artificial intelligence to redesign Tourism”.

He also identified Naija Flavour as a flagship project to position Nigerian cuisine as both a tourism asset and a tool for cultural diplomacy, linking tourism to Nollywood, music, fashion, food, festivals and digital creativity.

Speaking further, Awakan reiterated that the NTDA is also digitising tourism enterprise accreditation and regulatory processes while developing a grassroots tourism framework to identify, document and promote assets across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

Internationally, NTDA has expanded ties with tourism institutions, diplomatic missions, development partners and global organisations on technical cooperation, investment, destination marketing, capacity building, cultural diplomacy and market access.

The NTDA helmsman however recognised that challenges remain such as infrastructure gaps, weak tourism data, limited connectivity to some destinations, security concerns in certain locations, regulatory compliance shortfalls and the need for stronger private-sector participation.

Awakan remained positive looking ahead with his priorities including the mobilisation of more tourism investment, accelerating the development of viable assets, expanding domestic and international marketing through deeper digital transformation, strengthening regulation, increasing community participation, building capacity of tourism professionals and deepening partnerships with international tourism institutions.

The DG also announced plans for the expanded Naija Flavour International Tourism Expo to be unveiled in Abuja later this year making it the ultimate platform aimed at drawing international participation, investors and development partners into the sector.

While thanking President Bola Tinubu GCFR for giving him the opportunity to serve, he added that, “One year in office is not the destination. It is a checkpoint,” reiterating that the next phase would require stronger partnerships, greater investment and sustained institutional commitment.

Earlier, the Director of Marketing and Promotion of NTDA Mr. Olufemi Akinyele, said the milestone was being marked as part of NTDA Tourism Week, which began with a road walk and a guided tour of Abuja under the theme “Digital Vibes, Nigerian Pride: Celebrating Tourism, Culture and People.”

Government and industry representatives at the event congratulated the Director General and commended the Authority’s increased engagement with tourism stakeholders.

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