The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, has officially presented his appointment letter as Chairman of the African Travel Commission (ATC) to the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, during a courtesy visit to her office in Abuja.
The formal presentation marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s tourism sector and further reinforces the country’s leadership role in advancing continental tourism development.
Dr. Awakan’s appointment as Chairman of the ATC places Nigeria at the forefront of efforts aimed at promoting intra-African travel, strengthening regional partnerships, and positioning Africa as a unified global tourism destination.
Accompanying the Director-General for the official presentation were the President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Dr. Badaki Aliyu, and the 1st Deputy President of FTAN, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye.
Their presence underscored the strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving sustainable tourism growth in Nigeria.
In her remarks, the Honourable Minister congratulated Dr. Awakan on his well-deserved appointment and commended his commitment to elevating Nigeria’s presence on the continental tourism stage.
She also expressed deep appreciation to the leadership of FTAN for their consistent support and strategic collaboration with the NTDA in advancing tourism development initiatives across the country.
As part of the engagement, the FTAN President, Dr. Badaki Aliyu, alongside Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, seized the opportunity to formally inform the Honourable Minister about the forthcoming Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2026.
Scheduled to hold in July 2026 in the Federal Capital Territory, the event will mark its 8th edition and is expected to convene key stakeholders, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to chart a progressive course for Nigeria’s tourism industry.
Responding positively, the Minister assured the delegation of her full support and pledged to adjust her schedule to grace the occasion, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening public–private synergy and promoting investment-driven growth within the tourism and creative economy sectors.
The visit reflects the shared resolve of government and industry stakeholders to consolidate Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s tourism renaissance through collaboration, innovation, and strategic advocacy.
Culled from FTAN Facebook Page
