Culture and Tourism

ITPN President Adds Voice To Soaring Calls For a Stand Alone Tourism Ministry

Published

3 years ago

August 8, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo has added his voice to the clamour for the creation of a stand-alone Ministry of Tourism and Culture for Nigeria by the current administration under the leadership of President Asiwaju Ahmed BolaTinubu as the fastest means of resuscitating the nation’s ailing economy.

Chief Odusanwo who made the call when he addressed newsmen in the Abuja head office of the Institute, stated that tourism remains one of the most viable non-oil alternative sector to petroleum capable of revamping and sustaining the ailing national economy because it is the sector that stimulates development in terms of income generation, employment opportunities, foreign exchange earnings, taxation as well as the attendant multiplier and spillover effects that the sector has on the rest of the economy.

He stated further that globally, tourism remains one of the greatest contributing sectors to the economies of most countries, accounting for the substantial income generation and foreign exchange earnings, stressing that Nigeria can do a lot better if the necessary recognition and attention are accorded to the sector as a viable economic venture that is equally capable for massive job creation and poverty eradication.

Odusanwo said with the renew hope agenda of the present administration, the tourism sector deserves a prime position and recognition in the pursuits of the non-oil sector economy that will bail the country out of the woods and place it on the path of sustainable economic growth and development.

The ITPN President further stated that a stand-alone ministry of tourism and culture was long overdue for Nigeria against the backdrop of the enormous tourism potentials that the country is endowed with and its vintage position of been considered a preferred tourism destination by the global tourist population, noting that the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration will be doing the country good by focusing and exploring the economic potentials and viabilities existing in the tourism industry.

He further observed that while most African countries with less tourism endowments than Nigeria are doing better utilizing the benefits inherent in the sector to earn high percentage of their GDP from the sector, Nigeria is still lagging behind, leaving it abundant tourism potentials unexplored and untapped, noting that stakeholders and key players of the industry have hope and confident in the Renewed Hope agenda of the present administration to accord the tourism industry a prime place in its economic development agenda by creating a stand-alone tourism ministry.

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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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