Abuja, September 27, 2025 – Nigeria joined the global community in commemorating the 45th World Tourism Day with a call to reposition tourism as a driver of inclusive growth, national renewal, and global sustainability. The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE), under the leadership of the Honourable Minister Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, hosted the celebration at the China Cultural Centre, Abuja, in line with this year’s United Nations theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.”

A New Era for Nigerian Tourism

Delivering the keynote on behalf of the Honourable Minister, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad (MFR), unveiled the Nigeria Sustainable Tourism Transformation Agenda (NSITA), a bold four-pillar framework designed to translate Nigeria’s cultural wealth and natural endowments into global opportunities.

The agenda includes:
1. Policy and Infrastructure for Sustainability: a revised National Tourism Policy and a new “Green Nigeria” certification for hotels, resorts, and tour operators to promote energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
2. Community-Led and Inclusive Tourism: the establishment of a Nigeria Tourism Development Fund to support local enterprises, encourage authentic homestays, and ensure tourism revenues remain within host communities.
3. Conservation and Digital Innovation: from digital archiving of heritage to smart-park technology that protects wildlife and ecosystems while enhancing visitor experiences.
4. Marketing and Branding: a rebranding of Nigeria’s tourism narrative, empowering young digital storytellers to showcase authentic Nigerian experiences to the world.

“Our culture is a living, breathing museum. Our biodiversity is a treasure for the world. Our creative energy is a magnet already capturing global imagination. The time for secrecy is over, the time for sustainable transformation is now. Together, we will ensure Nigeria is not a footnote in global tourism history, but a leading chapter,” the Honourable Minister declared.

Tangible Impact Already Underway

The Ministry’s vision is already changing lives. Forty-two tourism students from Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja are benefitting from scholarships granted through the Ministry, a milestone acknowledged with gratitude by Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Mathew Adamu. He hailed the Honourable Minister for investing in the next generation of tourism professionals and pledged the University’s commitment to producing globally competitive graduates.

Partnerships for Transformation

Guest Speaker A. M. Sheriff, Head of AMSEL Global Resources Ltd and National Vice President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, emphasized that tourism is more than leisure, it is a transformative tool for nation-building, job creation, and peace. He urged Nigeria to draw lessons from global examples where sustainable tourism rebuilt economies and restored communities.

Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of the China Cultural Centre, welcomed participants to the venue and highlighted the depth of China–Nigeria cooperation in culture and tourism. With 2026 marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchange, he pledged China’s support in advancing Nigeria’s sustainable tourism agenda.

The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), represented by Dr. Edwin Enenta, reaffirmed the Institute’s mandate to build a globally competitive workforce through digital certification platforms, green skills training, and youth empowerment initiatives that embed sustainability in every aspect of service delivery.

Senator (Prince) Pam Mwadkon Dachungyang, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism, commended the Ministry’s vision and stressed the importance of community-based tourism where revenues remain with host communities, empowering local people and preserving heritage.

A Collective Commitment

The commemoration also featured goodwill messages, cultural performances, essay prize presentations, and contributions from leaders across government, academia, industry, and civil society, all reinforcing tourism’s role in fostering unity, sustainability, and shared prosperity.

A Renewed Hope for Tourism

In closing, the Honourable Minister issued a call to action:
“To our state governments, private sector, cultural icons, and every Nigerian: tourism is not just about destinations, it is about destinies. Let us build a Nigeria where every journey creates jobs, every attraction preserves heritage, and every visitor leaves with a story of sustainability and hope.”

The event reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, positioning tourism as a catalyst for economic transformation, social inclusion, and global recognition.