Musawa Urges Tourism Operators To Embrace Digital Innovation, Sustainability For Global Competitiveness

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Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has urged tourism operators to embrace digital transformation, sustainability and quality service delivery to remain competitive in the global tourism market.

Speaking at the opening of the ninth Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2026 and the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in Abuja, Musawa said Nigeria must modernise visitor experiences, develop tourism corridors, improve destination management and project its rich cultural heritage with confidence.

She described the forum’s theme, Tourism Transformation Through Collaboration, Policy Alignment and Investment, as timely, noting that tourism remains a key pillar of the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister said her ministry is strengthening policies, deepening collaboration with state governments, expanding international partnerships and promoting domestic tourism to reposition the sector for global competitiveness.

Musawa also applauded FTAN for sustaining NTIFE as a leading platform for tourism investment, policy engagement and business development, urging stakeholders to move beyond discussions to practical partnerships and bankable investments.

In his address, FTAN President, Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, called for greater collaboration and a deliberate restructuring of Nigeria’s tourism industry, lamenting the lack of coordination among stakeholders.

Badaki said the Tourism Transformation Movement (TTM) of his administration was designed to unite operators and bridge the gap between the public and private sectors, stressing that a fragmented industry cannot achieve its full potential.

He maintained that unity and strategic partnerships are essential to building a globally competitive tourism industry and positioning FTAN as the collective voice of the private sector.

The FTAN president also renewed the federation’s call on President Bola Tinubu to return the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Act 2022 and its 2025 regulations to the National Assembly for review, arguing that the existing provisions do not adequately serve the interests of the industry and its operators.