Creative Industry
Qatar and Nigeria Set to Sign MOU on Cultural and Tourism Cooperation
The Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy resumed talks with the Qatari government, on Monday, to boost cultural exchange, arts, and tourism relations between the two countries.
The Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, who held a meeting with H.E. Dr Ali Ghamen Al-Hajri, the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Nigeria in Abuja, highlighted Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and potential partnerships with Qatar to promote mutual understanding and growth.
She emphasised Nigeria’s diverse cultural history, showcasing its music, movie industry, and arts, and expressed interest in collaborating with Qatar to preserve and display Nigerian artefacts.
“Our relationship with the Gulf is important but not complete without Qatar. We have shared alignments with the Fulani, Hausas, and Kanuris in Qatar.
“We generate content through music, the movie industry, and the arts. We have been very active in recovering most of our artefacts, like the Benin bronzes, and we want to work with Qatar to preserve and display our artefacts. We also look forward to having a memorandum of understanding on how our culture, music and active tourism partnerships can benefit both countries”, Musawa added.
Earlier, the Qatari ambassador H.E. Dr Ali Ghamen Al-Hajri highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting art and cultural projects, emphasising its role in diplomacy and bridging nations.
The ambassador noted that both countries have significantly strengthened their economic ties in recent years through diplomatic engagement, to advance bilateral cooperation across several sectors including aviation, oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, and agriculture.
“Qatar is committed to collaborating with Nigeria to promote culture, increase tourism, and create mutually beneficial partnerships. The potential of Nigeria’s creative industry and its global influence is widespread.
“It will be mutually beneficial to officially document this conversation in an MOU, to boost Nigeria’s cultural richness, international collaborations, and the potential for growth in the creative industry and tourism sector including cultural events, art exhibitions, and exchange programs,” Al-Hajri said.
The meeting reflects a broader trend of cultural diplomacy, where Nigeria and Qatar leverage art and culture to foster international relations and cooperation. Both countries aim to boost cultural exchange, tourism, and economic growth through potential collaborations, including cultural events, art exhibitions, and exchange programs.
The possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise the partnership was discussed, with both parties expressing enthusiasm for the potential benefits of the collaboration.
In attendance were the Executive Director Katsina State History and Culture Bureau, Dr Kabir Ali Masanawa, Chioma Ude, Founder Africa International Film Festival (AfRIFF), Moriam Ajaga, Special Adviser to the President on Culture and Abiola Abdulkareem, Special Adviser to the Minister on Sub-national development.
NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE, PhD.
SA MEDIA & PUBLICITY
FMACCE/PS/ 127
13-10-2025
Photo: Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, paid a courtesy visit to the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Nigeria, H.E. Ali bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, at the Embassy of Qatar, Abuja, on 13th October 2025.
Creative Industry
NTDA, LEXLUC Sign MoU to Unlock Nigeria’s Domestic Tourism Potential
Cyril Ogar
The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LEXLUC Global Services and Tours Ltd. to promote domestic tourism, cultural heritage and destination awareness across Nigeria.
The agreement establishes a framework for implementing and expanding the Meet My Town, Know My State tourism initiative, which aims to encourage Nigerians to explore destinations within the country, learn about their cultural heritage and support greater community participation in tourism.
Speaking at the signing, Chief Executive Officer of LEXLUC Global Services and Tours Ltd., Mr Oluwole Ajayi, said the initiative was developed to help Nigeria harness its tourism potential, attract investment and create more opportunities within the sector.
“Tourism is number one employer worldwide. Whether we like it or not, we have to key into it and make sure it becomes the number one employer in Nigeria, too,” Ajayi said.
He also referenced plans for a proposed West African Jollof Rice Championship and Tourism Festival, which he said could complement the initiative’s broader objectives. The proposed event is expected to form part of future tourism activities, subject to the necessary planning and approvals.
Ajayi expressed confidence that the collaboration with NTDA would help advance the initiative and attract investors to Nigeria’s tourism industry.
Director-General of NTDA, Mr Ola Awakan, said the partnership alignes with the authority’s mandate to promote and develop tourism, noting that collaboration with the private sector was important to the sector’s growth.
“It’s a laudable project. We are going to give you national and institutional backing. You are also helping us achieve our mandate, and we are helping you to bring your idea to fruition. So, it is a win-win situation. All of this is in the interest of Nigeria,” Awakan said.
He commended Ajayi for sustaining the initiative and reaffirmed NTDA’s commitment to supporting its objectives within the authority’s mandate.
The Meet My Town, Know My State initiative is designed to raise awareness of Nigeria’s destinations, promote cultural heritage and encourage domestic travel. Its activities may include organised tours, tourism education, awareness campaigns, events and stakeholder engagements across the country.
Under the MoU, LEXLUC will coordinate and implement approved activities, develop tourism packages, mobilise sponsorship and partnerships, and report on progress. NTDA will provide relevant tourism information, institutional coordination, policy guidance and support for stakeholder engagement, subject to its mandate and applicable approval processes.
The signing was coordinated by Head of Legal Services at NTDA, Olufunke Soleye, and Head of Legal at LEXLUC, Mary Oluwatoyin Noibi-Edoze. Director of the Marketing and Promotions Department at NTDA, Mr Olufemi Akinyele, was also present alongside staff members of the department.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two organisations to expand awareness of Nigeria’s tourism offerings and encourage greater participation in domestic tourism.
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