The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture have strengthened efforts to advance tourism development and position Nigeria as a leading tourism destination through enhanced collaboration and strategic partnerships.
This formed the focus of a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the NTDA, Dr. Olayiwola Awakan, to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja.
The visit was aimed at exploring areas of cooperation that would enhance tourism promotion, cultural preservation and sustainable economic growth.
Welcoming the delegation, Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila commended the NTDA for its renewed commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s tourism sector and fostering stronger collaboration with state governments.
She reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to leveraging tourism, arts and culture as key drivers of economic growth, job creation and community development in line with the THEMES+ Development Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
According to her, Lagos has continued to consolidate its position as Nigeria’s tourism and entertainment capital through strategic investments in destination marketing, cultural promotion and innovative tourism initiatives.
She highlighted the successful hosting of the E1 Electric Boat Race as one of the landmark events that projected Lagos on the global tourism stage, while noting that attractions such as the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History and Freedom Park continue to showcase the state’s rich cultural heritage.
The Permanent Secretary stressed the importance of sustaining impactful tourism policies and programmes irrespective of changes in government, noting that long-term institutional support remains critical to the sector’s growth.
Speaking earlier, NTDA Director-General, Dr. Awakan, praised Lagos State for its investments in tourism infrastructure, destination marketing and the creative economy, describing the state as a pacesetter in Nigeria’s tourism landscape.
He said Lagos plays a strategic role in promoting Nigeria’s tourism potential both locally and internationally and stressed that stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and Lagos State is essential to unlocking the full potential of the industry.
Dr. Awakan expressed the Authority’s readiness to partner with Lagos in areas including tourism data harmonisation, capacity building for tourism operators, promotion of domestic tourism, standardisation of tourism products and joint marketing of cultural festivals and heritage sites.
He also highlighted the NTDA’s vision of using storytelling to promote Nigeria’s culture, food, music, traditions and tourism offerings to global audiences.
The Director-General further disclosed plans by the Authority, in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), to host the Nigeria Flavour Expo in Abuja, an international tourism and cultural exhibition expected to attract participants from more than 150 countries.
The meeting was attended by management staff of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and officials of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority.