The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has thrown its support behind “Ember to Remember” 2026, describing the initiative as an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism economy, promote domestic travel and showcase the country’s diverse destinations, festivals, hospitality, culture and creative experiences.
Speaking at the National Press Conference for Ember to Remember 2026, NTDA Director General Ola Awakan joined the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa; Director General of NIHOTOUR, Aare Abisoye Fagade; CEO of MyCityApp, Ifeoma Mbonu; and other industry stakeholders in backing the initiative.
Awakan said the initiative aligns with the NTDA’s efforts to tell authentic Nigerian stories and create greater visibility for tourism experiences across the country. He cited the Authority’s upcoming Naija Flavour International Tourism Expo (NAFITOE), Tour Ride initiative and NITOUREY, Nigeria’s first tourism-dedicated streaming hub, as part of efforts to promote the country’s tourism assets through new platforms and experiences.
According to Awakan, “Our support for Ember to Remember is rooted in a shared objective: to build a stronger, more connected tourism ecosystem where destinations, businesses, experiences and communities can benefit from increased visibility and visitor spending.” He noted that Nigeria has extraordinary tourism experiences beyond the traditional December travel season, adding that Ember to Remember provides an opportunity for stakeholders to collectively tell that story and encourage Nigerians and international visitors to explore more of the country.
The Ember to Remember National Stakeholders Conference, scheduled for September 14, 2026, in Lagos, is expected to bring together government agencies, tourism operators, private-sector players, creatives, technology companies, media organizations and other stakeholders. A major highlight of the conference will be the unveiling of the National Ember to Remember Calendar, designed to provide a more coordinated platform for promoting Nigeria’s tourism season and connecting visitors with events and experiences across the country.
The initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration across the tourism value chain while encouraging increased domestic travel, visitor spending, destination visibility and community participation, positioning Nigeria’s festive season as a broader tourism and economic opportunity.
