Delivering a keynote address at the Destination Nigeria Governors Tourism Conference in Abuja, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said tourism has been identified by the current administration as a strong pathway for economic diversification.
Speaking through her Chief of Staff, Raphael Obi, the minister noted that the policy, which had been stalled for years, is now with the Cabinet Affairs Office and is expected to be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) within weeks.
“For tourism, you must have heard over time that the only way to diversify Nigeria’s economy is through tourism. And all over the world, tourism remains one of the greatest sources of revenue and development of any country,” the minister said. “I assure you that the moment this policy comes alive, tourism will begin to blossom in Nigeria.”
Obi highlighted priority projects benefiting from federal support, including the redevelopment of Obudu Mountain Resort, where a private-sector-funded airport is reportedly 85% complete. He added that the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is setting up a 2.5-megawatt electricity supply for the resort, costing approximately $2.5 million, while the federal government is investing ₦5 billion to upgrade key infrastructure.
Earlier, Ola Awakan, Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in realizing Nigeria’s tourism ambitions. He stressed that states are the “heartbeat” of the tourism ecosystem, each offering unique attractions that can stimulate local enterprise, generate jobs, and boost internally generated revenue.
Awakan called for a vision of Nigeria where tourism is a driver of prosperity, creating opportunities for youth and ensuring heritage sites, festivals, and natural resources are effectively preserved and profitably managed.
In his remarks, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, represented by Udo Atam, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving the Abuja master plan and warned against the misuse of public spaces. “Transforming Abuja into a world-class capital is a top priority for President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” he said, adding that abuses of communal areas will no longer be tolerated.
The launch of the National Tourism Policy is expected to provide a roadmap for coordinated development, investment, and sustainable growth across Nigeria’s tourism sector.