The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) have agreed to strengthen collaboration aimed at promoting Nigeria’s tourism assets, improving the country’s global image, attracting investment and deepening diaspora engagement.
The commitment was reached during a strategic meeting between the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the Director-General of NTDA, Dr. Olayiwola Awakan, in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking during the meeting, Dabiri-Erewa said NiDCOM remains committed to partnerships that contribute to national development through the promotion of tourism, investment and meaningful engagement with Nigerians in the Diaspora.
She stressed the need to rebrand Nigeria’s tourism assets across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, noting that initiatives such as the Badagry Door of Return Festival have continued to reconnect Africans in the Diaspora with their ancestral roots.
According to her, the festival offers participants a unique spiritual, emotional, psychological, economic and historical experience, with many visitors moved to tears as they retrace the slave routes.
Dabiri-Erewa urged NTDA to sustain strategic partnerships and encouraged Nigerians to take ownership of the country’s narrative by telling positive stories that project Nigeria favourably to the international community.
In his remarks, the NTDA Director-General, Dr. Awakan, said Nigeria is richly endowed with tourism assets and pledged to reposition the sector to meet global standards.
He identified key priorities to include improving the tour guide system, upgrading tourism sites, organising tourism expos, expanding private sector participation, developing tour packages and strengthening tourism promotion.
Awakan noted that stronger engagement with Nigerians in the Diaspora and tourism stakeholders would stimulate investment, create employment opportunities and contribute to national development.
He, however, observed that despite Nigeria’s numerous cultural, entertainment and tourism events, the country’s global image is often overshadowed by negative narratives.
To address this, he disclosed that NTDA is proposing NAIJA FEST, a national festival designed to showcase the culture, cuisine, music, arts and traditions of all 36 states and the FCT.
The NTDA boss also announced plans for a Diaspora Internship Initiative in the United Kingdom, which will enable Nigerians living abroad to undertake a nine-month internship in Nigeria before returning to their countries of residence with enhanced professional and cultural experience.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging tourism as a tool for economic growth, strengthening Nigeria’s international image, promoting investment and harnessing the potential of Nigerians in the Diaspora as strategic partners in national development.
