Badaki Urges South-East Council to Restructure Tourism

On September 7, during the inauguration of the South-East Zonal Executive Council in Enugu, Dr. Aliyu Badaki, the President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), called for a restructuring of Nigeria's tourism sector. He emphasized the need for the council to unite tourism stakeholders in the South-East and develop a clear action plan that reflects the unique tourism assets of each state.

Badaki stressed the importance of visibility for tourism associations, stating that those not recognized would struggle to influence decisions or attract partnerships. He urged the council to engage with government officials and agencies collectively rather than as individuals.

Badaki pointed out that the private sector should lead the restructuring efforts while the government focuses on creating a supportive policy environment. He lamented that Nigeria, despite its resources and attractions, lagged behind smaller West African countries in tourism development, citing Benin Republic and Ghana as successful examples.