FG to create diaspora city to boost tourism
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, says plans are underway to establish a diaspora city in Nigeria to boost inbound tourism.
The minister stated this when she inaugurated a committee to drive the Motherland 2025 Initiative on Friday in Abuja.
Ms Musawa said the Motherland 2025 Initiative was aimed at positioning Nigeria as a premier global destination where tourism would drive economic empowerment, cultural preservation, and national pride.
The committee members were drawn from the ministry, the Motherland Africa team, and the National Tourism Development Authority (NTDA).
The members were also drawn from the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), and the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN).
She said the committee’s primary objective is to ensure the successful implementation of the Motherland 2025 Initiative and maintain timely delivery, effective oversight, and monitoring of project implementation.
According to Ms Musawa, the diaspora city is a flagship component of the Motherland project, a thriving tourism hub.
“This is where members of the diaspora can seamlessly invest and ensure a sustainable connection with their homeland and roots,’’ she said.
Ms Musawa added that legal frameworks would support a citizenship programme to enable diaspora and foreign nationals to obtain citizenship to safeguard their investments in Nigeria.
“Motherland 2025 is more than just a moment in time; it is a catalyst for sustained engagement, forging lasting connections between the diaspora and their homeland.
“Investors, opportunities, global travellers, and Nigeria’s dynamic experiences.
“As part of the long-term components of the project, we are developing Diaspora City, a thriving tourism hub where members of the diaspora can seamlessly invest, reconnect, and put down roots.
“I charge the committee members to be diligent and work toward deliverables and timelines set to achieve successful outcomes from this initiative,” she said.
The minister said the Motherland 2025 initiative was a collaborative effort of the ministry and Motherland Africa.
The minister added that the collaboration would include other key stakeholders, such as federal ministries, government agencies, and private sector organisations.
According to Ms Musawa, the Motherland 2025 Initiative is part of the ministry’s broader strategy, “Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere.”
“This is an initiative designed to amplify the creative industries, strengthen international partnerships, and elevate Nigeria’s global cultural footprint.”
She said key projects under the initiative included the Motherland 2025 Festival, which would expose the global diaspora to peak experiences of Nigerian arts, culture, and the creative landscape from the 36 states and the FCT.
She said the festival from December 15 to December 21 in Lagos and Abuja would reconnect investments and celebrate Nigeria’s shared heritage.
Ms Musawa used the opportunity to urge Nigerians abroad to come home and take part in the celebration, billed for December.
(NAN)
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