Culture and Tourism

NIHOTOUR Signs MOU on capacity building for NAHCON Staff

Published

5 years ago

September 15, 2021

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on capacity building and training for staff of the Commission to enhance the performance of the Commission’s staff during hajj operations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Director, Media & Public Relations Ahmed Mohammed Sule revealed that Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of NIHOTOUR said the Institute is poised to bring the wealth of experience of its staff to bear in offering high quality training of the commission’s staff for better service delivery during the annual Hajj operations.

He said as the nation’s apex travel-tourism and hospitality training Institute, NIHOTOUR will ensure that NAHCON staff get the best training necessary that will impact positively on their job performance and output and ensure greater successes for a hitch-free hajj operation.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikirullah Kunle Hassan said it is the desire of NAHCON under his stewardship to deliver to the Nigerian pilgrims the best of services in hajj operations that endeared him to NIHOTOUR and has full confidence that the partnership will work successfully well for both parties.

Alhaji Hassan said Hajj operation is a Trillion Dollar Global business that should not be toyed with, noting that Nigeria is set to key into the economic gains and spiritual benefits of the hajj operations with maximum comfort and satisfaction guaranteed to all Nigerian pilgrims.

He said the Commission has been against the annual political jamboree associated with hajj operation whereby government at the three tier levels sponsor pilgrims to the Holy land, pointing out that it was a welcome development that since the inception of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration such luxury and flamboyant financial extravaganza has been stopped and individuals are allowed to fend for themselves as a part of their religious obligations.

He pledged that the Commission will not rest on its oars but continue to explore all means and avenues that will ensure the successful and hitch-free operations of the annual religious exercise.

Present to witness the signing ceremony of the MOU which seeks to train and impact skills on NAHCON staff as well as provide a Staff Training Centre for the Commission by NIHOTOUR were management staff and officials of the two government agencies coordinated by Heads of the Legal Units of the Institute and the Commission.

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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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