Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs received in the audience the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Olayiwola Nurudeen Awakan, and his delegation during a familiarisation and strategic engagement on Thursday, 4th December 2025. This was contained in a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, anipr, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
The meeting discussed expanded areas of collaboration between the Ministry and NTDA to strengthen Nigeria’s global tourism visibility, promote heritage sites, enhance cultural diplomacy, and support the development of national tourism assets. The Honourable Minister highlighted opportunities for deeper cooperation through Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions, participation in major global tourism expos such as ITB Berlin, the promotion of heritage and slave-route sites, and improved storytelling of Nigeria’s cultural and historical richness.
The Director-General outlined NTDA’s initiatives, including developing an international tourism city, enhancing digital storytelling platforms, promoting diaspora tourism, strengthening visa facilitation for tourism events, and establishing a coordinated presence at global tourism markets. He also expressed NTDA’s readiness to work with the Ministry to harmonize tourism promotion efforts, attract foreign investment, and advance the national tourism diversification agenda.
Both parties agreed on the need for structured collaboration, the integration of cultural representation within missions without expanding attache’s structures, and a unified approach to showcasing Nigeria’s tourism potential on the global stage.
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