Culture and Tourism

What the Minister of Tourism must know By Ememmaria Offiong

Published

2 years ago

September 19, 2023

It is no longer news that the 16th President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has appointed new ministers, establishing new Ministries in the process.

We now have a Ministry for Tourism, headed by Mrs. Lola Ade-John.
A Lagosian by birth, the new Minister holds a first degree from the Premier University of Ibadan, in Computer Science. She rose through various positions in different private sector organizations to become a seasoned ICT administrator. She made her mark especially in the banking sector, radiating her technological and business acumen wherever she goes.

With her pedigree in the ICT and the banking industry, the Tourism Ministry is surely going to witness a birth of innovative ideas in the management of the sector. Mrs. Lola Ade-John is a breath of fresh air who will bring her wealth of experience to bear in tackling the challenges of the Tourism industry in Nigeria.

Also, in line with the 8-point socio-economic agenda of President Tinubu’s Administration, it has become incumbent upon the Honorable Minister to position the industry at the forefront of development.

It is well known that Nigeria is a country filled with amazing tourist sites; however, most people both at home and abroad are largely unaware of this vast resource that can generate immense wealth and goodwill for the nation.

The first challenge to be tackled Is the area of improving security in the various tourist sites across the nation. The recent nationwide spate of insecurity has led to a lack of trust and widespread fear both at home and abroad.

Despite the deep potential tourism has to add to our economic growth, tourists are scared of visiting these sights, with herdsmen spreading terror in the middle belt, Boko Haram in the north-central, and pockets of insurrection in the east and south from militants.

These unfortunate and tragic happenings have shed a terrible light on Nigeria’s image internationally.

Securing these tourist sites will both serve as an incentive for improving the volume of tourists and as a consequence, create employment opportunities for the locals while boosting revenue generation and economic activities in these regions. Ultimately this creates a positive cycle that will boost Nigeria’s image in the international community.

There is also the issue of “medical tourism”, a phenomenon where Nigerians of means are leaving the country in droves in search of quality healthcare outside the shores of Nigeria. For Nigeria to stand as the Giant it is, the ministry should aim to reverse this trend and instead have foreigners see Nigeria as a bastion of quality healthcare.

This can be done by the Government investing in state-of-the-art modern healthcare facilities or providing an enabling environment for indigenous private investors to partner with foreign investors and build Healthcare facilities to world-class standards.

These cannot be made possible without capital. Thus, access to funding is critical for the achievement of this vision.

Consequently, it has become urgent to raise awareness on Nigeria’s tourism potential by deliberate investment in tourism promotion and aggressive marketing of a national brand.

This should be done both at the domestic and international tourism trade shows. When properly harnessed, these potentials have the immense ability to yield massive revenue and place Nigeria high in the major world ranking of Tourism sites.

A synthesis of the new Honorable Minister’s resumé shows that she is clearly an asset to the tourism industry.

The world is evolving through digital and technological advancement, and there is a need for the Honorable Minister to leverage her expertise in this domain and upgrade the ministry to align with global best standards.

It is hoped that a blend of IT and tourism will engender the much-needed engine to drive greater efficiency, and accessibility and ignite global competitiveness within the industry.

Nigerians are with her through her journey in this sector, and through her able leadership, Nigerians will ensure that all hands are on deck as we pursue our shared core values towards unlocking the full potential of tourism and making the industry a vibrant one.

With the rich heritage of cultural diversity that Nigeria offers, the Ministry exists as a pivot that must be engaged fully to ensure that Nigeria stands tall in the community of Nations and showcases her natural beauty, vibrant tourist attractions, and hospitality.
Offiong, Ememmaria writes from Abuja.

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Creative Industry

Musawa Highlights Art and Culture as Drivers of Public Sector Excellence at Legislative Mentorship Session

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., has emphasized the importance of integrating art and culture into public-sector excellence in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the SA Media & Publicity, Office of the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Phd.

Musawa made this known while addressing trainees at the 4th Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), held at the National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies, Abuja on Thursday.

Themed ‘Building the next generation of Public Sector Leaders’, Minister Musawa highlighted art and culture as essential tools for national cohesion and identity, economic development and job creation, innovation and civic engagement, sustainable development, and projecting Nigeria’s soft power and global identity.

She noted that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is a unifying force that binds different ethnicities and elaborated on how Art and Culture is key to public-sector excellence in Nigeria.

“First, embracing and promoting art and culture helps to forge national cohesion and shared identity among Nigeria’s diverse populations. Integrating culture into public policy and governance transforms the creative and cultural sectors into engines of economic development, job creation and diversification. Cultural industries including crafts, music, film, design, heritage tourism can generate livelihoods, attract investment, expand exports, and reduce overreliance on a narrow set of economic activities.

“A society that values creativity and cultural expression tends to produce more resourceful citizens, fosters cross-cultural dialogue, and encourages public servants to be more adaptive, empathetic, and culturally aware while prioritizing culture and creative economy in public policy through frameworks, institutions, and infrastructure, demonstrates long-term vision and commitment to sustainable development,” Musawa said.

The Minister called for supportive policies, enabling legislation, and sustained commitment to fulfill this vision, including laws that protect intellectual property, incentivize investment in creative infrastructure, and integrate arts and culture into education and community development.

“Embedding art and culture at the heart of governance and public-sector planning is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It builds unity, drives economic growth, fosters innovation, strengthens institutions, and ensures that development respects and reflects the soul of the nation,” she emphasized.

Musawa thanked the founder of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his inspiring vision and unwavering commitment to cultivating Nigeria’s future public-service leaders.

Other speakers at the Legislative Mentorship Initiative include the Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization Aisha Augie, Nigerian photo-journalist and documentary photographer Bayo Omoboriowo, Amb. Dapo Oyewole, Secretary-General Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures amongst others.

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