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NTIFE 2026: Nigeria Intensifies Push for Private Investment in Tourism Development

Published

2 months ago

July 31, 2026

By Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria into Africa’s leading tourism destination through strategic policy reforms, stronger stakeholder collaboration and increased private sector investment.

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, made the commitment on Thursday while declaring open the 9th Nigeria Tourism Investment Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2026 in Abuja. She described tourism as a critical pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda.

Speaking on the theme, “Tourism Transformation Through Collaboration, Policy Alignment and Investment,” Musawa said Nigeria possesses immense tourism assets capable of creating millions of jobs, attracting foreign direct investment, boosting foreign exchange earnings and enhancing the country’s global image.

She said the Federal Government is strengthening the policy and regulatory environment to encourage investment, improve the ease of doing business and deepen collaboration with state governments, development partners and the private sector.

According to the minister, the government is also prioritising domestic tourism, destination branding, heritage conservation, tourism product development and capacity building to position Nigeria as a globally competitive tourism destination.

Musawa stressed that government alone cannot finance the transformation of the tourism sector, urging greater private sector participation.

“Our responsibility as government is to create an enabling environment where investors have confidence, regulations are predictable, partnerships are transparent and innovation is rewarded,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address, former Senator Dr. Ibrahim M. Ida called for urgent and practical measures to reposition tourism as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy.

He advocated stronger public-private partnerships, harmonised tourism policies, improved infrastructure, long-term financing and the establishment of a National Tourism Marketing Council to promote a unified Nigerian tourism brand globally.

Ida also proposed the creation of a ₦500 billion Nigeria Tourism Development Fund, to be managed by the Bank of Industry in collaboration with state governments, to finance hotels, resorts, conference centres and other tourism infrastructure. He argued that affordable, long-term financing is essential to attracting investment and accelerating growth in the sector.

Highlighting Nigeria’s tourism potential, Ida noted that the country is home to over 250 ethnic groups, globally recognised cultural festivals, historic sites, diverse landscapes and a population exceeding 220 million.

Despite these advantages, he lamented that Nigeria accounts for less than one per cent of global tourism receipts due to inadequate investment and weak policy implementation.

He urged governments, investors, financial institutions and host communities to work together to build a vibrant tourism industry capable of creating five million jobs and generating up to 10 billion dollars annually over the next decade.

The forum attracted policymakers, investors, tourism operators, financial institutions, development partners, state governments and other stakeholders to explore practical strategies for positioning tourism as a major driver of sustainable economic growth.

Delegates from more than 12 West African countries are participating in the two-day event, underscoring Nigeria’s growing role as a regional tourism and investment hub.

In his opening remarks, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Dr. Aliyu Badaki, said the theme of this year’s forum reflects the urgent need for collective action to transform the sector.

He explained that FTAN’s Tourism Transformation Mandate (TTM), launched a year ago, was designed to unite all segments of Nigeria’s tourism industry under a common vision.

Badaki said the federation had spent the past year strengthening collaboration among member associations, engaging governments at all levels and positioning FTAN as the unified voice of Nigeria’s organised tourism private sector.

He commended the ongoing reforms being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy under Minister Musawa, describing them as bold steps toward creating a more coordinated and investment-friendly tourism ecosystem.

Badaki also urged the Federal Government to review tourism-related laws and regulatory frameworks that create duplication, institutional conflicts and uncertainty for investors, stressing that a predictable regulatory environment is essential for sustainable growth.

He called on private sector operators to uphold integrity, professionalism and collaboration, noting that while competition builds businesses, collaboration builds industries.

“Nigeria has every ingredient required to become one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations. What has been missing is alignment between policy and implementation, between government and business, and among operators.

Together, through collaboration, policy alignment and investment, we can transform our industry and position Nigeria as a destination of choice for Africa and the world,” he said.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

14 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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