Nigeria's Dr. Awakan Appointed ATC Chairman for Tourism

Dr. Ola Awakan, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), has been appointed as the chairman of the African Travel Commission (ATC).

This appointment aims to reinforce Nigeria's leadership role in advancing tourism across Africa. The announcement was made during a high-level engagement at the ATC's inaugural summit held in Lagos.

The ATC, established in 1965 and revived in Ghana in 2021, serves as a strategic platform to promote intra-African travel and strengthen partnerships. Dr.

Awakan's emergence as chairman is expected to build on Nigeria's long-standing contributions to global tourism development, including its historical role in shaping international tourism cooperation. He pledged to drive sustainable tourism growth, enhance competitiveness, and deepen cultural exchange to unlock broader economic opportunities across the continent.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed optimism about Nigeria's tourism sector, emphasizing the need to improve visa processes, strengthen air connectivity, and foster regional integration as priorities.