Creative Industry
Niger State Seeks Strategic Partnership with Ministry of Culture and Tourism to Elevate Bida Bariki Festival
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The Niger State Government has proposed a new partnership with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy to upgrade the historic Bida Bariki Festival to a national cultural event with international recognition.
The initiative was presented by Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, Member of the House of Representatives for Bida/Katcha/Gbako Federal Constituency and a member of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism, during a meeting with Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq. in Abuja on Tuesday.
Hon. Abdullahi described Bida as the cultural heart of the Nupe people, with a rich heritage that deserves global exposure.
“We are proposing a collaboration to showcase the Nupe culture through the Bariki Festival, aiming to make it an international event. The festival dates back to the colonial era and has continued to this day. We want to modernize it, boost economic benefits, create jobs, and attract tourism to our region.”
He added that the state also seeks to work with the Ministry to develop tourism infrastructure around Gurara Falls, including hotels, a water park, and a creative hub, with active involvement from local communities.
Minister Musawa responded by highlighting the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to attract investment and promote Nigeria’s cultural tourism. She referenced a recent presentation of projects in Dubai, emphasizing the importance of international exposure to attract investors.
“The Ministry is focused on partnering with state governments to develop cultural and tourism assets across Nigeria. We have already signed MOUs with several key states. This collaboration is part of the broader ‘Renewed Hope Cultural Renaissance’ initiative, which aims to enhance and promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage and tourism potential.
“We are ready to move quickly on these partnerships, focusing on states with high tourism potential. Our goal is to create a sustainable framework for cultural preservation, economic growth, job creation, and to position Nigeria as a global cultural tourism destination,” Musawa said.
The Bida Bariki Festival, rooted in pre-independence traditions, is a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage. It features horse-riding displays, acrobatic performances, traditional music and dance, and showcases local crafts such as glass beads and grasswork. The festival attracts thousands of visitors annually, providing a significant boost to the local economy through hospitality, employment, and cultural exchange.
This partnership marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to leverage its cultural and natural assets for sustainable development and global recognition.
Hon Saidu Musa Abdullahi was accompanied by the General Manager Niger State Tourism Corporation.
Creative Industry
NTDA Director-General Appointed Chairman of African Travel Commission
In a landmark development for Africa’s tourism sector, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, has been appointed Chairman of the African Travel Commission (ATC), reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in advancing continental tourism.
The announcement was made during high-level engagements following the ATC’s inaugural summit in Lagos. Originally established in 1965 and revived in Ghana in 2021 as a non-profit under Executive Director Dr. Lucky George, the ATC serves as a strategic platform to promote intra-African travel, strengthen partnerships, advocate progressive policies, and position Africa as a unified global destination.
Dr. Awakan’s emergence as Chairman builds on Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to global tourism development, including its historic role in shaping international tourism cooperation and the evolution of the World Tourism Organization. Accepting the position, he pledged to drive sustainable tourism growth, enhance competitiveness, deepen cultural exchange, and unlock broader economic opportunities across the continent through strong public–private collaboration.
He further expressed optimism for Nigeria’s tourism sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that Nigeria is well positioned to lead efforts aimed at improving visa openness, strengthening air connectivity, and fostering regional integration. These priorities were echoed at the February ATC Summit co-hosted by NTDA and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where stakeholders called for coordinated action to accelerate travel and tourism across Africa.
This appointment places Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s tourism renaissance, with plans to convene tourism leaders from across the continent and implement collaborative frameworks that will transform Africa into a premier global tourism hub through innovation, unity, and strategic advocacy.
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