Nigeria's Tourism Transformation: Insights from Dr. Awakan

Dr. Olayiwola Awakan, the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), spoke about efforts to transform Nigeria's tourism industry by focusing on perception, reputation, and effective communication.

He highlighted the potential of storytelling through various media, including film and digital content, to market Nigeria as a tourism destination. Awakan mentioned the collaboration with the National Film and Video Censors Board and the Nigerian Film Corporation to leverage Nigeria's rich cultural heritage and historical assets.

The NTDA aims to build strategic partnerships with filmmakers, content creators, and media organizations to authentically tell Nigerian stories to a global audience. He also discussed the establishment of local government tourism committees to identify and promote tourism attractions within communities.

The NTDA is committed to enhancing Nigeria's image as a tourism destination and fostering community participation in tourism development, with a focus on preserving cultural heritage and promoting local festivals.