One year into office as Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr Olawiyola Awakan, has pledged commitment to attracting investment, building partnerships, structures and international promotion of Nigeria tourism assets as the next phase of development.
Awakan gave this pledge while speaking on his one year in office and looking ahead into the second year. Speaking at the Tourism Week 2026 organised by the Authority in Abuja, Awakan ave his one year in office a pass mark as he highlighted some of the milestones recorded.
As the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) enters its second year under the leadership of the Director-General, Mr. Ola Awakan, the focus will remain on building partnerships and converting Nigeria’s tourism assets into greater opportunities for investment and accelerated economic growth.
At the Tourism Week 2026, which is leading to World Tourism Day 2026 celebration on September 27, the DG said; “Nigeria does not lack tourism assets. What is required is a system that connects these assets to investments, jobs, technology, enterprise and sustainable economic value.”
On his scorecard, Awakan observed that over the past year, the Authority concentrated on stakeholder engagement, innovation, investment facilitation, digital transformation, destination marketing, tourism intelligence and institution building.
He explained that efforts have been made towards deeper collaboration with government institutions, traditional institutions, private-sector operators, development partners, financial institutions, professional bodies, communities and international partners.
On the digital front, the NTDA DG said the Authority has advanced NITOUREY, a dedicated tourism streaming platform and content ecosystem meant to take Nigerian destinations, culture and experiences to wider audiences, in alignment with this year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Digital agenda and artificial intelligence to redesign Tourism”.
He also identified Naija Flavour as a flagship project to position Nigerian cuisine as both a tourism asset and a tool for cultural diplomacy, linking tourism to Nollywood, music, fashion, food, festivals and digital creativity.
Speaking further, Awakan reiterated that the NTDA is also digitising tourism enterprise accreditation and regulatory processes while developing a grassroots tourism framework to identify, document and promote assets across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Internationally, NTDA has expanded ties with tourism institutions, diplomatic missions, development partners and global organisations on technical cooperation, investment, destination marketing, capacity building, cultural diplomacy and market access.
He, however, recognised that challenges remain such as infrastructure gaps, weak tourism data, limited connectivity to some destinations, security concerns in certain locations, regulatory compliance shortfalls and the need for stronger private-sector participation.
Awakan remained positive looking ahead with his priorities including the mobilisation of more tourism investment, accelerating the development of viable assets, expanding domestic and international marketing through deeper digital transformation, strengthening regulation, increasing community participation, building capacity of tourism professionals and deepening partnerships with international tourism institutions.
The DG disclosed plans for the expanded Naija Flavour International Tourism Expo to be unveiled in Abuja later this year making it the ultimate platform aimed at drawing international participation, investors and development partners into the sector.
While thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to serve, he said; “One year in office is not the destination. It is a checkpoint,” reiterating that the next phase would require stronger partnerships, greater investment and sustained institutional commitment.
Earlier, the Director of Marketing and Promotion of NTDA, Mr. Olufemi Akinyele, said the milestone was being marked as part of NTDA Tourism Week, which began with a road walk and a guided tour of Abuja under the theme “Digital Vibes, Nigerian Pride: Celebrating Tourism, Culture and People.”
Government and industry representatives at the event congratulated the Director General and commended the Authority’s increased engagement with tourism stakeholders.
