Culture and Tourism

NIHOTOUR In Tripartite Collaboration Seminar On Hospitality And Tourism Legislations

Published

6 years ago

March 9, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) is partnering with the University of Abuja’s Institute for Legislative Studies and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria to hold a One-Day Seminar on ‘Hospitality and Tourism Legislation, Impacts on the Sector and Lessons from China’

Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of NIHOTOUR who made the disclosure in Abuja said adequate legislations on effective operation of the hospitality and travel-tourism sector in Nigeria is very necessary if the country is to benefit from the positive impacts and socio-economic contributions of the industry to the national economy.

He noted that the hospitality travel and tourism industry are the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic which rendered the sector moribund and plagued by poor business operating environment, job losses by employees and professional practitioners and a host of others which made it necessary to have legislative provisions in place that will protect and provide conducive environment for the industry to operate and thrive without hindrance.

In his remarks, Prof Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Director of the Centre for Legislative Studies of University of Abuja, said the Seminar is to provide a platform for Nigeria’s effective Hospitality and Travel-Tourism legislation with much lessons and interface from the Peoples’ Republic of China.

He said this will also help the transformation of legislative policy framework and implementation in the country taking queue from China’s success story in this regard, which despite her large population was able to put in place legislative policy frame works that benefit hospitality and travel tourism business in that country.

Prof Ghali said the Seminar which is billed for 30th March, 2021 at the University of Abuja Permanent Campus is targeted at policy makers on the Nigerian Tourism and hospitality sector, Key stakeholders of the industry, Committee Members on Tourism and Hospitality of the National and State Legislatures, Principal Officers of NIHOTOUR, University of Abuja and China Cultural Centre in Nigeria

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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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