Culture and Tourism

TOURISM MINISTRY: Odusanwo, thanks Tinubu, congratulates Minister, felicitates with Nigeria Industry Stakeholders

Published

3 years ago

August 17, 2023

Joel Ajayi

National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo has expressed his gratitude and thanks to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for heeding to the calls and aspirations of the Nigerian tourism community for the establishment of a stand-alone Tourism Ministry for the country, siting the development as a very key and strategic move by the government to embrace tourism as a key driver of socio-economic growth of the country.

He said the industry never had it this good for a stand-alone tourism not attached with any burden of responsibility except tourism and tourism alone, noting that government has really taken the bull by the horns in becoming the unifying and rallying point for all private sector operators in the sector to look up to for the provision of better policy directives and the provision of necessary infrastructure for Nigeria to be transformed into a compelling, highly competitive and preferred destination.

In a congratulatory letter to the newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Ms. Lola Ade-John, while he felicitates with the Minister on her appointment, Odusanwo urged her to bring her vast and wealth of experience as an IT specialist and astute finance and resource manager to bear in running the ministry so that the country can fully tap and benefit from the enormous socio-economic potentials of the nation’s tourism resources.

He said Nigeria is greatly endowed with huge tourism potentials waiting to be tapped, urging the Minister to see her appointment as a clarion call to grow and develop the country’s tourism resources via the creative application of modern technology which is capable of generating great revenue, creating job opportunities, fighting poverty and revamping the ailing national economy, stating that while the private sector operators are the orchestra in their respective fields of callings, government remains the conductor providing the sense of vision, coordinating competitive marketing intelligence, the executional insights and the ability to bring members of the orchestra together to achieve the desired national goals that the tourism industry stands to offer.

Odusanwo stated that industry players and critical stakeholders in the sector look up to the minister to run the affairs of the ministry with that ‘orchestra-conductor’ relationship with the objective of re-positioning the ministry as a viable government body for purposeful leadership guidance and direction, functional policy formulations, and implementable high-tech solutions that will create the enabling environment for operators of the industry at both public and private sector levels to thrive.

‘The call for a stand-alone tourism ministry has been on for a very long time now, but coming to the rescue with the creation of the Tourism Ministry by the administration of President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, it is hoped that the Renewed Hope Agenda of his Government will truly breath a renewed hope in the Nigerian tourism industry for better performance in the nation’s socio-economic facet’, he adduced.

He noted further that the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria as the nation’s premier professional awarding body in tourism, hospitality and related trades, will continue to ensure high level of competent professional practices in the industry as well as put in check the wanton and unwholesome infiltration and practices of quacks within the professional folds of the industry.

He then called on all critical stakeholders and key players in the industry to instill professional competence in their operations and rally round most diligently to support the new Minister in the successful administration of the ministry that will ensure better results and greater outcome for the industry and for the good of the country.

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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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