The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Olayiwola Awakan, has emphasized the need for enhanced infrastructure and innovative financing models to unlock Nigeria’s tourism potential and attract vital investment into the sector.
Awakan made the appeal while serving as a special guest at the eighth edition of the Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2025, organized by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in Abuja. He highlighted that the forum has become a key platform for strategic engagement within the tourism industry.
“This event has, over the years, evolved into the foremost platform for strategic engagement among policymakers, investors, industry operators, and development partners who share a common vision to position Nigeria as a preferred tourism investment destination in Africa,” he said.
Highlighting the Tinubu administration’s renewed hope agenda and its focus on economic diversification, Awakan noted that tourism remains a vital component of the national development strategy.
“We believe that unlocking the vast potential of our tourism sector requires deliberate investment in infrastructure, innovative financing models, effective destination marketing, and above all, strategic partnerships both within our borders and across the globe,” he stated.
He commended FTAN for sustaining NTIFE as an inclusive platform that bridges the gap between the public and private sectors, facilitating dialogue, investment matchmaking, and knowledge exchange. According to him, such collaboration is essential for building a resilient, innovative, and globally competitive tourism industry.
Emphasizing NTDA’s commitment to collaborating with FTAN and other stakeholders, Awakan stated: “As Nigeria’s apex public tourism agency, the NTDA is dedicated to strengthening institutional frameworks, promoting responsible tourism, and attracting sustainable investment. Together, we can transform tourism from a potential sector into a powerhouse of national prosperity.”
He further commended FTAN on the smooth investiture of its newly elected National President, Dr. Aliyu Badaki, and extended congratulations to the Nigeria Tourism Icon Awards honorees, which were among the highlights of the one-day forum.
