Culture and Tourism

Lagos States Sets to host Roundtable CONFAB for Sustainable Tourism Growth

Published

4 years ago

November 23, 2022

Joel Ajayi

As part of it’s determination to grow tourism sector in the country, arrangements have been concluded for a roundtable conference on Thursday 24th – Friday 25th November, 2022 in Lagos to set an agenda and chart a roadmap for tourism development of Lagos State as the preferred destination in Africa.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) revealed that the roundtable Confab scheduled to hold at the Eko Hotels and Suites with the theme: Lagos Tourism: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,
Converter, the Lagos state chapter of ITPN asserts that Lagos state government has shown sufficient commitment and its resilient in growing its tourism potentials.

According to the statement, while tourism was globally plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic that ravaged the industry, Lagos state was able to stand to the challenge of the pandemic by its proactive actions at mitigating the scourge as well as cushioning of the negative economic impacts and hardships on industry operators for palliatives with grants and interest free loans worth One Billion Naira.

“The Institute was inspired by this singular and unique attributes of the Lagos state government in the show of concern for the travel tourism and hospitality industry of the state and its desire, as expressed in many fora, to grow the state tourism potentials for the socio-economic benefits of the people.

“The roundtable conference is to further put Lagos state in public and private sector domain with the view to charting the way of consolidating the industry’s position and open a new chapter of progression after the Covid-19 pandemic for accelerated recovery and boom.Sub themes expected to be deliberated up on includes.

“The role of the gatekeepers (police, customs, immigration, Civil Defense orps) the challenges to building a flourishing tourism industry in Lagos State Developing a road map for Lagos tourism industry connectivity: Achieving sustainable tourism development in Lagos State through industry connectivity, and Building efficient and innovative tourism transportation system in Lagos State: the way forward. Others are The Symbiotic-relationship of tourism and the environment: the challenges and prospects for tourism in Lagos State.

“The role of Local Government Councils in Tourism development in Lagos State: Empowering Community participation. Strategies for meeting the Lagos State hospitality and tourism industry skill needs.

“Tourism Plan: Implementation, prospect and challenges and Technology and Tourism in the 21st century: The Way Forward for Lagos Tourism.

However, the event is expected to have in attendance key players in the tourism industry of the country including the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) Nkereuwem Onung, Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)Others are, Mr. Folorunsho Coker, Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria ITPN and Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, Founder/CEO, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort.

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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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