The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) Mr. Olayiwola Awakan has called for fresh perspective and newness of ideas in the development and marketing of Nigeria as a tourist destination, adding that the country’s tourism industry can only grow when both the private and public sector work together. He said this during his opening address at the African Tourism Commission (ATC) inaugural summit and exhibition held this week in Lagos.

The NTDA boss said the tourism sector could drive the Nigerian economy if managed properly. His words: “It’s (tourism) one sector that can drive Nigerian economy and get us to the Promised Land.  And one way for us to do that is to work together and to synergize. It is my great pleasure on behalf of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to warmly welcome you all to this important gathering of Africa’s tourism leaders and stakeholders under the auspices of the African Travel Commission. We are truly honored to participate in this timely engagement which reflects our shared commitment to repositioning tourism as a strategic driver of economic growth, cultural diplomacy, job creation, and sustainable development across our great continent.”

Speaking on the ATC, Awakan said: “The African Travel Commission, ATC, was conceived from a shared continental aspiration to reposition tourism as a strategic instrument for Africa’s economic growth, cultural diplomacy, regional integration, and sustainable development. It serves as a unifying platform that brings together African government, tourism authorities, private sector operators, development partners, and the creatives to collectively advance Africa’s tourism interests. At its core, ATC champions collaboration, advocacy, policy alignment, and strategic promotion with the objective of presenting Africa as a single, compelling, and competitive tourism destination.”

The NTDA boss also praised the Executive Director of ATC, Dr. Lucky George and his team, for reviving the ATC initiative. He said Africa stands at a defining moment in its tourism evolution, that the continent is blessed with rich cultural heritage, diverse ecosystems, historic sites, vibrant creative industries, and resilient people. But that unlocking the full value of these assets requires collective action through harmonized policies, improved connectivity, shared marketing platforms, skill development, and strong public private partnerships. He spoke further: “The African Travel Commission provides a credible and structured framework for driving this collective action across borders. By integrating exhibitions, business-to-business meetings, high-profile engagements, and cultural showcases, the summit reinforces tourism’s role as a catalyst for economic diversification, job creation, and inclusive growth.”

Delivering a good message, the Chief Executive Officer of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Gloria Guevara promised her organization’s support for the sector in Africa, saying, “WTTC is proud to join this journey and support the sector so that we can unlock the potential for travel and tourism. 2023 was a historical year for travel and tourism. We had 1.5 billion international arrivals, the highest number ever. Globally, we’re forecasting that travel and tourism could reach 11.7 trillion and 371 million jobs. We are a country who was the third largest country in the world. In Africa, the sector contributed 225 billion to GDP and supported almost 30 million jobs. That’s a clear signal of how tourism is growing and the importance of the role of our sector. International visitor spending also grew, reaching 77 billion dollars. And that is very important. Africa is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the growth for international travel. But we face also some real challenges, like improving transportation. Connectivity, for instance, needs to expand new routes intra Africa and to Africa.”

Speaking on behalf of the Director of the Private Sector and Industries Commissioner and the Commissioner for Agriculture of the Economics Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr. Olalekan Afolabi said the summit was aimed at transforming the tourism industry rather than just taking: “We are here at this event not just to talk, but to transform. The very conception of this event forged in partnership between the ECOWAS, AfDB,   NTDA signals our collective determination to move beyond rhetoric. Our shared goal is to focus on practical, actionable strategies to unlock the full value chain of African tourism. On a sub-regional basis across Africa, tourism contributes less in West Africa than it has in East and Southern Africa. According to the World Bank data, tourism has historically contributed just about 2% of West African gross domestic product that is GDP, compared to approximately 5.5% in East Africa and 3.4% in Southern Africa. But within the region we have countries like The Gambia that has a higher share of tourism to their GDP, about 20%. Countries like Senegal have about 7%, and Nigeria has about 3.6% contribution to GDP. So, this initiative is a wake-up call and it is an initiative in the right direction to push the share of GDP, the contribution of tourism to GDP even higher.”

The annual National Tourism and Transportation Summit and Expo (NTTS) 2025 has called for the resuscitation of  local government tourism committees to ensure local stakeholders participate the development and management of tourist sites and activities within their councils. This, it says, would enhance solution pathways in addressing the myriads of challenges in the sector at the grassroots level.

This was one of the 10 recommendations of the communiqué issued at the end of the 2025 summit recently held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The summit also called for the development of curriculum content for entrepreneurship, skill acquisition and capacity building programs that will enable youth and women to have access to needed skills for tourism business operations and investment activities.

In the area of transportation, the summit called on the government to increase investment in transportation infrastructure supported by public-private partnerships through strong synergy among all stakeholders, and also greater collaboration of stakeholders to standardize and implement effective standards and guidelines to suit the national domestic tourism sector.

Among other recommendation, the NTTS called on the government to improve national policy framework for a pragmatic synergy in various skills and capacity building programs in the development of the travel-tourism, hospitality and transportation industry.

It noted that there are various investment opportunities in the transportation, travels and tourism sectors, but the challenges of limited skills and capacities in this area has hamper the progress in tourism development.

The summit called on the government also to increase investment on digital opportunities in travel ticketing, cashless mobility and visitor analytic and digital cultural platforms as a way to grow the tourism transportation sector.

It noted that there is limited awareness and appreciation of the benefits of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) among the Nigerian populace, saying individuals prioritize traditional degrees over vocational training, leading to a mismatch between available job opportunities in tourism and transportation and the skills possessed by job seekers.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of the local organizing committee and President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, said the annual hosting of the NTTS aims to strengthen the synergy between tourism and transportation as well as explore the interdependency among ministries, departments MDAs and private sector organization to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development of the Nigerian economy.

Odusanwo further noted that the summit has come a long way, with its communiqués serving as guides and roadmap for national policies on tourism and transportation. He said  organizers appreciate and honour private and public sector participants, exhibitors, guests, speakers and collaborators for their trust, confidence and continuous participation in the summit since inception in 2018, thereby encouraging the annual hosting of the event for the economic good of the country via inclusive cooperation, collaboration and partnerships.

In her speech to open the summit, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mrs Hannatu Musa Musawa, represented by the Director Overseeing Office of the Department of Domestic Tourism Promotion, Mr. Sunday Bisong, commended organizers of the NTTS  for providing the platform where the pivotal needs of the country’s public and private sectors needs would be discussed  in collaboration, coordination and connectivity to unlock the full potentials in tourism, transportation and creative economy, and explored actionable propositions. The  minister further stated the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in infrastructure development and intermodal transportation systems so as to enhance accessibility to the nation’s tourism potentials across all regions of the country; evolving policies that integrate all developmental parametres that guarantee intensive economic growth of the nation and help to strengthen the linkages amongst key sectors to facilitate tourism business operations at all levels.

The summit was attended by leaders,  industry stakeholders and practitioners in tourism, transportation, culture and other allied services.

Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the House Committee Chairman on Tourism and Culture, Honourable Bonu Solomon Saanu, has called for the full implementation of the Lagos State Tourism Master-plan that was passed by the state house of assembly and signed into law. He made this call while speaking with the members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) in his office.

Saanu, who represents Badagry 1 constituency in the state house of assembly, believes that for the state’s tourism industry to grow to the desired level there is a critical need for effective implementation of the Lagos State Tourism Master Plan. The master-plan which was unveiled to the public on July 21, 2021 by the state governor, after undergoing rigorous review by experts,  has so far not been implemented.
Speaking on it, the lawmaker said: “Currently, I initiated a plan. I had to call on all the state’s past permanent secretaries and directors in the state’s ministry of tourism. I asked them to come so that we could look into how to implement the master-plan. I was in the ministry then when we launched the master-plan. But we could see that it is not being implemented now. You cannot run tourism without master-plan, and I give credit to those who helped us to package the master-plan. I have a copy here.

“So, we now decided to come up with a programme, se t up a committee and start the implementation. Currently, I am in talk with the governor to give all the approval. Those who have knowledge about it should be brought on board.

“Tourism is all about transportation, is that being taken care of? We have agro-tourism, how is that being handled? …medical tourism and so on. Tourism goes beyond putting a musician on stage and all that. What is the return on investment? By weekend now, come to the park in front of the assembly complex, it is taken over by fun seekers. What are we deriving from that? All these is imbedded in the state’s tourism master-plan, the implementation must start now.”

To maximize the return on investment in tourism, Saanu recommends a strategic collaboration with the private sector. This partnership is essential to leverage private sector expertise and resources, ensuring that tourism initiatives are not only well-funded but also efficiently managed.

By fostering a condusive environment for private sector involvement, Lagos can enhance its tourism infrastructure, attract more visitors, and ultimately boost the state’s economy.

Bonu also highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in budget allocation and spending. He calls for increased budgetary support for tourism, stressing that a well-funded tourism sector can become a significant economic driver for Lagos State.

Also, regular audits and financial reporting are crucial to ensure that funds are utilized effectively, delivering tangible benefits to the state’s tourism landscape.

Many would-be participants already in Enugu have been left disappointed by the decision to postpone the 2025 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST). It was supposed to kick off today, November 22 in Enugu. They are now trying to figure out their next line of action. However,  they are expected to be addressed  by the state governor of Enugu State Peter Mbah later today.

As at last night when the festival’s cancellation was announced, more than 20 states have arrived. Notable among the early arrivals were the Katsina State contingents who came with more than 60 horses. Katsina had planned holding a mini-Durbar parade during the festival.

The contingents are angry that the decision to postpone the festival was taken so late, allowing them to risk their lives traveling to Enugu from their different states.   

The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy had sent out a press release on Friday, November 21, the eve to festival, announcing the postponement of the festival.

In the release signed by Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Special Assistant to the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, the festival was postponed due to ‘ the recent insecurity incidents that have caused pain and disruption across different parts of the country. In solidarity with the affected families and communities, and out of deep respect for the lives lost, the Honourable Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., in consultation with stakeholders, has approved the postponement of the festival to a later date.’

The postponement raised also other posers. Many are asking whether the postponement means the ministry would hold two festivals never year to cover for this edition.  There is also fear that many states may be unwilling to honour participation in the festival to avoid future disappointment like what is currently happening.’

All is set for the 8th edition of the National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo (NTTS) holding on 2nd and 3rd December, 2025 at the Palm D’or Event Centre, Garki, Abuja. The event will bring together key players, policymakers and stakeholders in the tourism and transportation sectors to engage on advancing Nigeria’s socio-economic development through integrated connectivity. Under the Theme: Tourism and Transportation Connectivity: Accelerating the Synergy for National Socio-Economic Growth and Development, the annual Summit has become institutionalized as a strategic industry convergence platform to explore the critical nexus between tourism and transportation, as spelt out in this year’s theme of the event.

In a chat with press men in Abuja,  the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Organising Committee and also Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) National President, Aare Abiodun Odusanwo said the 2025 edition is coming at a defining moment, aligning with the Presidential directives aimed at fostering greater synergy and collaboration between tourism and transportation sectors, as part of the national strategy for economic diversification, infrastructure integration and job creation which are the prominent features of the tourism and transportation industries.

Participants at the two-day event will be drawn from major key players and stakeholders in the transportation and tourism sectors such as the air transportation; i.e. airlines, tour and travel operators, administrators of the aviation industry; the maritime industry which includes sea transport, boats and sea cruising operators; Road Transportation including major transport owners, car hire services, Uber, road traffic and safety agencies including the FRSC, motor insurance companies; state transport ministries and agencies; rail transport services.

Others are operators of the tourism and hospitality industry including tourism resort operators, National Parks Services; museums and monuments, state tourism ministries and boards, festivals and tourism events managers; hoteliers, restaurants and fast food operators; conferences and events managers; as well as service providers in the banking, oil and gas industries. The NTTS programme will also feature host city walk, exhibition, B2B and G2B sessions, tourism transport membership and fellowship inductions, and the gala night which will also feature awards to deserving stakeholders in the industry.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Organising Committee, and National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Aare Abiodun Odusanwo emphasized the summit’s role in driving policy alignment, unlocking investment, and promoting sustainable mobility and tourism development across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT.

Some highlights of the summit include; High-level panel sessions featuring Ministers, DGs, and CEOs of tourism and transport Agencies; Stakeholder dialogue on rail, road, aviation, and inland waterways connectivity; Investment and PPP opportunities in destination development and transport infrastructure; Technical exhibitions showcasing innovations, services, and tourism transport solutions; State showcases, youth enterprise pavilions, and networking sessions.

The 2025 NTT Summit is a must attend event for all stakeholders; state governments, MDAs, operators, investors, transport unions, travel companies, airlines, rail corporations, hospitality practitioners, ICT innovators, tourism professionals, academia, development partners and media in order to actively

participate in this crucial national event and unlock the economic potentials of Nigeria’s tourism transportation industries.

Aare Odusanwo expressed his optimism that the full participation by key stakeholders will contribute to shaping new frameworks for seamless mobility of people and services, safe, accessible, and sustainable tourism experiences. The Summit will further enhance private sector-driven innovation and infrastructure financing as well as alignment with global best practices in integrated tourism transportation.

A number of concerned stakeholders equally expressed confidence and support for the Summit saying it provides a strategic platform to action the Federal Government’s directive on institutional collaboration between Ministries of Tourism, Transportation and Aviation, as well as sub-national agencies in ensuring that tourism and transport planning are harmonised to drive inclusive economic growth. Odusanwo said the summit, in its usual tradition and characteristics, has provided suitable grounds for Nigeria’s destination marketing and domestic tourism promotion.

The President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators of Nigeria  (ATBOWATON)  and Managing Director of Gani-Tarzan Marine Enterprises  Limited, Engineer Ganiyu Shekoni Balogun (Tarzan) has described the recent conferment of the Seriki Adeen on him by  by the  Da’iratu Maga’mi Ibrahi’m Movement Dawah of Nigeria (DAHMOD) of  Ilese-Awo, Abeokuta, Ogun as vehicle to help unite people from different faith, tribe or colour.

 The honour was conferred on Tarzan at a colourful ceremony witnessed my Muslim religious leaders, family and well-wishers. The foremost water transportation personality was turbaned amidst prayers,  Islamic songs and merry making.

Tarzan , speaking on the honour, said it was in recognition of his efforts to serve his God and serve humanity. “I feel great, I feel honoured, I feel that I am being recognized by my community in Abeokuta. My name is Abdulganiyu Shekoni Balogun. Abdulganiyu is a Muslim name. I am proud to be a member of that community, and I think my duty is to bring people together, Muslim, Christians or any other religion. Everybody should be united; we should be one, and should not be fighting ourselves. I am very happy to do that and I am ready to support them with whatever I have. You can only give what you have. You cannot give what you do not have.

”I try to support the community, you know I am also a Rotarian, so put water out my compound and help to solve the community’s water problem.

“I also worship in the community mosque whenever I am in my house in Abeokuta. So, I appreciate the recognition.”

Tarzan  has been one of the most consistent tourism industry practitioners in Nigeria for more than three decades, and has been an advocate and enforcer of  safety measures in water transportation for

Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN) has concluded plans for the inauguration of the Executive of its South East zone, as it seeks to boost its activities and entrench its presence in the region.

A two-day activities have been unveiled to hold between November 13 and 14, 2025, with the general session of the Association, courtesy visit to the Imo State Ministry for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture and some of the stakeholders in the State, slated for November 13.

The inauguration of the Executive, which will attract members of the Association and other stakeholders, including operators in the government circle in the five South East states (Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi), will hold on November 14 at the Muna Suites, Off Port Harcourt Road, New Owerri, Imo State. 

Also expected in attendance is a Fellow and former Second Deputy President of HATMAN, Dr Rosemary Aji, who will be bringing her wealth of experiences towards increasing HATMAN’s presence in Abia State. The National officials of the Association, with its National President, Dr (Mrs) Lillian Managwu and Board Chairman, Dr Aliyu Badaki, who is also the National President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), will be heading the team from the national level.

The new Executive to be inaugurated is headed by Dr Ndidi Ezeibe as Zonal Vice President and five State Coordinators: Dr Peace Uhuegbu-Imo State; Dr Callister Ogbu-agha-Ebonyi State; Prof. Elochukwu Nwankwo-Enugu State; and Grace Okeke-Anambra State.

As a professional body, HATMAN was established in 1996, with a spread across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja. It brings together professionals and operators, including academics, scholars and students from all sectors of the hospitality industry and its allied sectors.

HATMAN’s mission is to unite and empower professionals in the hospitality and tourism sector, foster knowledge sharing, promote industry standards, and advance career development.

While its vision is to be the leading professional body in Nigeria, significantly contributing to the growth and development of the  nation’s hospitality and tourism industry by shaping its future through education, innovation, and opportunity.

Creatives Connect Afrika (CCA), an initiative of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) in collaboration with the Black Star Experience and Africa Tourism Partners (ATP), is set to hold the maiden edition of the Creatives Connect Afrika, a festival to showcase African culture, arts, fashion and tourism.  For this inaugural edition, the CCA will be a three-day event from November 24 to 26,to hold at the Ghanaian capital of Accra. 

While unveiling the event at the Movenpick Hotel, in Ikoyi, Lagos, the organizers said the  aim of the festival is to spotlight Africa’s creative and cultural industry especially in the areas of film, music and fashion as engines for trade, cross-border collaboration, and continental integration  under the AfCTA agenda.

According to them, the CCA would not only be an operational engine of partnership,  but a comprehensive project and digital platform designed to bridge the gap between African creatives and the opportunities presented by Africa’s free trade area initiative.

The core mission of CCA, they say, is to equip, connect, and empower creative entrepreneurs which include musicians, filmmakers, and fashion designers to animators, software developers, and gastronomic artists to trade their services and products across African borders seamlessly. The CCA will serve as a strategic platform for policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to engage in solution-oriented discussions, identify key bottlenecks, and develop actionable strategies to unlock the full potential of the Film, Music and Fashion industries.

The first day of the event will be special master classes on the fashion, film and music industries. There will also cocktail a special programme, Accra by Night.

The programme for the day two of the festival  include opening ceremony and presidential session, high level session on creative economy, tour and film screening.

The day three and final day of the event will have cultural sessions, panel discussions on the creative and cultural industries, fashion show and music festival.

Kwakye Donkor, the Managing Director of ATP said ATP is very passionate to bring the continent together, and that every country in Africa has her uniqueness in the area of culture, arts and fashion which can be showcased.

Mrs. Emily Mburu-Ndoria, the AfCTA Director for Trade in Services, Investment, and Intellectual Property said the CCA was a significant milestone in the Africa’s development and integration agenda. She apoke further: “The upcoming Forum and Festival in Accra, themed ‘Creatives Connect Afrika,’ will be a pioneering event and the first of its kind under the AfCFTA.

It is not just a gathering but a call to action, a platform for meaningful dialogue, and an opportunity to identify practical solutions that will unlock the full potential of Africa’s tourism, creative, and cultural industries.”

Also speaking on the CCA, the coordinator of the Black Star Experience, the organizing body for the 2025 event, Mr. Rex Owusu Marfo said the collaboration is to transform the continent through its creative potentials into tangible creative prosperity. The Black Star Experience the organizing body,  he said,  will act acts as the primary physical launchpad and networking hub for CCA.

The South – South Zone of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria is set for the inauguration of its new Executive Council scheduled to hold on November 17, 2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

In a press statement by FTAN Vice President, South-South, Mrs Faith Esohe Essien, the inauguration will mark the commencement of full pledged activities by the Federation in the zone, following the recent assumption of office the Federation’s new national Executive Council headed by Dr Aliyu Badaki, as President.

‘‘This ceremony marks the official commencement of a focused, regional drive to transform our sector, positioning tourism as a strategic solution to some of the region’s long-standing economic challenges,’’ noted Essien.

‘‘The “Green Horizons” Imperative: Our Inauguration will be held under the critical theme: “GREEN HORIZONS: Unlocking the South South’s Natural Wealth for Inclusive and Sustainable Prosperity,” she added.

Further, ‘‘This theme is not merely ceremonial; it represents a policy commitment to use tourism to drive economic diversification, advocate for responsible coastal conservation, and elevate our cultural assets as sustainable alternatives to resource dependency.’’

Billed to hold at Ogeyi’s Place, GRA, Port Harcourt, the inauguration will attract members of the federation, stakeholders, government officials and the travelling public from across the South – South (Edo, Delta, Cross, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states) and other parts of the country, with the National President of FTAN, Badaki, leading the national officers of FTAN and others to the inauguration ceremony.