Creative Industry
Ooni of Ife Backs Awakan as NTDA, OJAJA Seal MoU to Transform Nigeria’s Tourism Sector
Cyril Ogar
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has thrown his royal weight behind the Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan.
In a landmark move poised to elevate Nigeria’s tourism landscape, the NTDA and OJAJA Pan Africa Ltd, led by its Chairman, His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at formalising the federal agency’s mandate with the private-sector expertise of OJAJA.
The partnership aims to harness Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, cuisine and hospitality to drive economic growth, positioning tourism as a cornerstone of national development.
During the signing ceremony, NTDA’s Director General praised the Ooni as an “epitome of culture, a father, and a staunch supporter of the youth,” acknowledging him as a true royal figure.
Speaking further, the DG added that the partnership is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of diversification from oil and amplification of the PPP initiative.
“This partnership promises transformative benefits for Nigeria’s tourism industry, including economic diversification beyond oil dependency in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.” Awakan stated.
“By utilising our storytelling capabilities, we can generate sustainable revenue and attract investments, create jobs, and boost foreign exchange inflows.” He added.
In response, the Ooni eulogised the DG’s professionalism and dedication, noting his pivotal role in initiatives like the Royal African Youth leadership Forum.
The Ooni encouraged continued promotion of youth interests in tourism, highlighting the DG’s nationwide experience and commitment to Nigeria’s diversity.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing a youthful leader to head the NTDA, remarking that he himself embodies youthful energy in cultural stewardship.
The event featured symbolic gestures underscoring the partnership’s focus with the DG presenting the Ooni souvenirs, including a plaque of Naija Flavour, as emblems to propel Nigeria’s tourism and cultural diplomacy.
OJAJA, a Pan-African platform specializing in cultural branding and investment facilitation, brings private capital and diaspora networks to the table, creating a synergistic public-private framework for sustainable tourism advancement.
Looking forward, the NTDA-OJAJA alliance sets a blueprint for tourism-led prosperity, promising lasting impacts on employment, revenue and global visibility.
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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