Creative Industry
NTDA Bids Farewell to Outgoing Director General in Grand Send-Forth Ceremony
By Joel Ajayi
The Management and Staff of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) honored the outgoing Director General, Chief Folorunsho Coker, in a heartfelt send-forth ceremony held at the Authority’s Village Hall.
The event celebrated Chief Coker’s remarkable leadership over the past eight years, during which the NTDA experienced significant transformations in Nigeria’s tourism sector.
A Legacy of Achievements
In their tributes, staff and management commended the DG for his visionary leadership and numerous accomplishments, including:
Enactment of the NTDA Act, which transformed the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) into the NTDA.
Ongoing ISO standardization certification to enhance service quality.
Successful launch of the Tour Nigeria brand, promoting domestic tourism.
Expansion of the Authority’s organogram, creating more employment opportunities.
Nigerian Flavours initiative, celebrating the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Capacity-building programs and staff training to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Digital transformation and global partnerships with Google, Meta, and Wikipedia, enhancing Nigeria’s online tourism visibility.
Improved staff management relations, fostering industrial peace at NTDA.
Digitalization of the registration and accreditation process for all tourism and hospitality businesses (now 90% complete).
In his farewell address, Chief Coker expressed deep gratitude to the Directors and staff, emphasizing that these achievements were a collective effort.
He urged employees to uphold his legacy, maintain professionalism, and promote unity within the organization. He discouraged tribalism, instead encouraging love, cooperation, and teamwork.
The ceremony concluded with goodwill messages, presentations, and heartfelt appreciation for Chief Coker’s dedication and service.
As he embarks on a new journey, the NTDA remains committed to building on the foundation he has laid, ensuring the continuous growth and development of Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Creative Industry
NTDA, ITPN Sign Pact to Enhance Professionalism in Tourism Sector
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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