By Innocent Orok
In a bold move to reshape Nigeria’s tourism landscape, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Economy and the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) have joined forces to bridge critical industry gaps. On February 21, 2025, FTAN, led by its President, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister at the Ministry Headquarters in Abuja to strengthen collaboration between the government and the private sector.
Onung commended the Minister’s strategic blueprint for the creative economy, which was expanded in 2024 to include tourism. He highlighted FTAN’s role in uniting various private sector associations and emphasized the need for stronger public-private partnerships to drive tourism development.
Key discussions at the meeting centered on the legal frameworks governing the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), as well as their impact on private-sector operations. While appreciating legislative advancements, FTAN raised concerns about potential conflicts between the two statutes and ongoing efforts to address them.
To enhance state involvement in tourism, Onung proposed the creation of a council of tourism commissioners and advocated for a Tourism Satellite Account to accurately measure the sector’s economic contributions. Additional concerns included multiple taxation in the hospitality industry, increased participation in international tourism exhibitions, and the revival of the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT). FTAN also urged the Ministry to convene a National Tourism Summit to address industry-wide challenges comprehensively.
In her response, the Minister expressed gratitude for FTAN’s proactive engagement and reiterated her commitment to integrating tourism into Nigeria’s economic framework. “We are committed to ensuring that tourism becomes a pillar of Nigeria’s economy,” said Minister Musawa, reaffirming her dedication to fostering public-private collaboration.
Regarding the PCT, she confirmed ongoing efforts to revive the council, with further deliberations planned at the upcoming National Council of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy in Oshogbo. She also pledged to host a National Tourism Summit to engage stakeholders in shaping policies for sectoral growth.
With renewed collaboration and policy innovation, Nigeria’s tourism sector is poised for unprecedented growth, unlocking vast economic opportunities for the nation. The Minister commended FTAN’s commitment and assured them of the Ministry’s continued engagement in driving sustainable tourism development.
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