On Saturday, November 2,, 2024, key stakeholders from Nigeria’s tourism, hospitality, and cultural sectors gathered in Lagos for a pivotal validation event centred on the Draft National Tourism Policy.
Hosted by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the event aimed to align Nigeria’s tourism sector with global standards while highlighting the nation’s rich cultural and natural assets.
In her opening address, Minister Musawa emphasized Nigeria’s untapped tourism potential, showcasing its diverse landscapes, vibrant cultural heritage, and significant economic opportunities.
She commended the NESG and private sector partners for their collaborative efforts in advancing the policy, noting that the last update to the tourism policy was in 2005. The revalidated framework seeks to modernize the sector with a focus on sustainability, infrastructure development, and community engagement.
Former Minister of Tourism Lola Ade-John, who played a vital role in the policy’s earlier formulation, stressed its importance in unlocking Nigeria’s tourism assets. She praised the NESG’s contributions and highlighted the policy’s potential to establish a comprehensive development plan that promotes sustainable national growth through tourism.
Dr. Ikenna Nwosu, NESG Facilitator for the Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Culture, Creative, and Sports Policy Commission (THECCS), delivered remarks on the significance of public-private collaboration. He underscored the necessity of a robust policy to stimulate tourism growth, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic, and applauded the government’s commitment to prioritizing tourism.
Public Sector Co-chair Dorothy Duruaku, Director of International Tourism Relations & Cooperation at the Federal Ministry, welcomed attendees before Private Sector Co-chair Lolo Ngozi Ngoka, Thematic Lead for Tourism and Hospitality Industries at NESG, presented the draft policy.
Ngoka highlighted the policy’s emphasis on diversifying tourism products, fostering inclusivity through stakeholder collaboration, and promoting digital innovation to enhance Nigeria’s appeal as a tourist destination. She noted that over 200 industry enthusiasts contributed to the review process over four years, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships for improving infrastructure and supporting community-based initiatives.
Dorothy Duruaku and Ngozi Ngoka introduced the members of the Tourism Policy Review Committee to Hannatu Musawa and Lola Ade-John, who jointly presented Certificates of Commendation in recognition of their dedication and contributions. Members of the various sub-groups, appointed by the co-chairs, will receive their commendation letters at a later date.
The stakeholders event featured a dynamic panel discussion with leading tourism experts analyzing the policy’s potential impact, followed by breakout sessions where stakeholders engaged in focused discussions across thematic groups, including Infrastructure Development, marketing and promotion, Regulatory and Institutional framework and stakeholder engagement. Each breakout session provided valuable feedback and recommendations, which were further explored in an open Q&A session.
Ngozi Ngoka advised all participants that the Federal Ministry of Tourism and NESG would integrate the approved suggestions into the final policy. She encouraged all stakeholders to continue supporting the policy finalization process, which is scheduled for completion by the end of November 2024, with additional consultations planned to refine its objectives
