Creative Industry

Nigeria and Tunisia to Strengthen Cultural and Tourism Ties

Published

2 months ago

April 14, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Republic of Tunisia has expressed interest in establishing cultural and tourism relations with Nigeria.

His Excellency Moshen Antit, Ambassador of Tunisia to Nigeria, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, in Abuja on Monday.

Ambassador Antit highlighted the potential for collaboration in cultural exchanges and medical tourism between the two countries. He noted that Tunisia boasts advanced medical facilities and expertise, making it an attractive destination for medical tourism in Africa.

“Tunisia is known for its rich history and architecture which makes it a potential attraction for Nigerian tourists. Tunisia has also invested heavily in its healthcare infrastructure, and we believe that our medical services could be a valuable resource for Nigerians and other Africans seeking quality healthcare,” he said.

The Ambassador also invited Nigeria to participate in the International Conference on Financing, Investment, and Trade in Africa (FITA), scheduled for May 6-7, 2025, in Tunisia. He said that the conference is expected to attract over 2,000 participants from 60 countries, providing a platform for discussions on investment opportunities and partnerships in Africa.

“We will be happy to collaborate with Nigeria and explore different ways of building bilateral and multinational partnerships and encourage cultural exchanges among Africans”, the Ambassador said.

In her response, Minister Musawa thanked the Ambassador for his visit and expressed enthusiasm for exploring potential partnerships between Nigeria and Tunisia. She emphasized the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes economic growth through art, culture, and creative economy.

“This is an opportunity for us to strengthen ties within the continent and tap into the potential of our partnership. We look forward to our next meeting to document and seal our proposed cooperation with Tunisia,” Minister Musawa said.

The meeting between the Ambassador and Minister Musawa marks the beginning of a promising collaboration between Nigeria and Tunisia. Both countries are expected to explore ways to promote cultural exchanges, medical tourism, and economic cooperation in the coming months.

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Creative Industry

NTDA, ITPN Sign Pact to Enhance Professionalism in Tourism Sector

Published

20 hours ago

June 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

In a strategic move to strengthen professionalism and build capacity within Nigeria’s tourism industry, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has forged a partnership with the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN).

During a courtesy visit to the Authority, the ITPN delegation led by Mrs. Fatimah Obadaki, Chairperson, FCT Chapter emphasized the need for structured collaboration aimed at equipping tourism personnel with industry-relevant skills and enhancing service standards across the sector.

She highlighted that the visit was rooted in the institute’s mission to foster partnerships that promote high standards of service delivery and human capital development in the Nigerian tourism and hospitality sectors.

In his remarks, Dr. Olaleye Taiwo Famogbiyole, FITPN, Registrar of the ITPN, FCT Chapter, emphasized the pressing need to bridge the skill gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements. “The knowledge our graduates bring into the industry is no longer sufficient. We must adopt industry-recognized training programs to align university education with practical industry expectations. As an awarding body within the hospitality, travel, and allied trades ecosystem, we see a vital need to professionalize the sector,” Dr. Famogbiyole stated.

He further called for collaboration with NTDA in training staff in tour operations, tour guiding services and destination management. He proposed that NTDA staff be enrolled as members of the institute and benefit from its tailored training programs.

Dr. Famogbiyole also commended NTDA for its unwavering support of the National Tourism and Transportation Summit (NTTS), one of ITPN’s flagship initiatives. “NTDA has been a consistent and invaluable partner in the success of the NTTS over the years,” he noted.

In response, Mr. Ovie Esewhaye, Director overseeing the Office of the Director General of NTDA, welcomed the ITPN team and praised their resilience and commitment to professionalizing the sector despite prevailing economic challenges.

“At NTDA, we are repositioned for effective performance through strategic collaborations. We are open to partnerships that enhance the capabilities of our workforce. I pledge that all NTDA directors will be enrolled as members of the Institute and we will ensure our staff benefit from the various training programs offered by ITPN,” Mr. Esewhaye assured.

He further revealed that NTDA is undergoing a digital transformation and working towards ISO certifications to improve operational efficiency. “We want to be a benchmark for tourism standards in Africa,” he said.

Mr. Esewhaye reaffirmed NTDA’s commitment to the National Tourism and Transportation Summit and expressed willingness to participate in its upcoming edition. He also accepted ITPN’s invitation to participate in the Abuja Tourism Roundtable scheduled for July 2025, emphasizing, “As long as it has to do with promoting tourism, we will be there.”

The visit marked a significant step in strengthening institutional ties aimed at enhancing professionalism and capacity within Nigeria’s tourism sector.

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