The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting tourism, attracting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s international image through deeper collaboration and diaspora engagement.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated this during a meeting with the Director-General of NTDA, Olayiwola Awakan, in Abuja.
Dabiri-Erewa said the Commission remains committed to partnerships that contribute to national development through the promotion of tourism assets, investment opportunities and diaspora engagement.
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She underscored the need to rebrand Nigeria’s tourism assets across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while encouraging domestic tourism through initiatives such as the Badagry Door of Return Festival.
“It is a spiritual, emotional, psychological, economic and historical experience, it cuts deep into their psychic as many shed tears as they passed through the slave routes,” she stated.
The NiDCOM Chairman also urged NTDA to continue building strategic partnerships and stressed the importance of Nigerians taking ownership of the country’s narrative by telling their own stories and projecting a positive image of Nigeria globally.
In his remarks, Awakan said Nigeria is endowed with abundant tourism assets and reaffirmed his commitment to repositioning the sector to meet international standards.
He identified key priorities including improving tour guide systems, upgrading tourism sites, promoting tourism expos, encouraging private-sector participation and developing tour packages.
Awakan expressed confidence that stronger engagement with diaspora communities and tourism stakeholders would boost investment, create employment opportunities and contribute to national development.
He noted that despite Nigeria’s rich cultural, entertainment and tourism offerings, the country’s image is often overshadowed by negative narratives.
“There is a need to project a more positive image of Nigeria, especially through those in the Diaspora who are our first-line ambassadors,” he said.
The NTDA Director-General also disclosed plans to introduce Naija Fest, a proposed national festival designed to showcase the culture, cuisine, music, arts and traditions of all 36 states and the FCT.
He further revealed plans for a diaspora internship initiative in the United Kingdom.
“A proposed Diaspora Internship Initiative in the UK is being mounted through which Nigerians in the Diaspora would be given the opportunity to undertake a nine-month internship in Nigeria before returning to their countries of residence with valuable professional and cultural experience that will last,” the NTDA Director-General said.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both NiDCOM and NTDA to reaffirm their commitment to promoting tourism, strengthening Nigeria’s international image, encouraging investment and leveraging the Nigerian diaspora as strategic partners in national development.
