NTDA boss appointed chairman of African Travel Commission
Olayiwola Awakan, director-general of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, has been appointed as chairman of the African Travel Commission.
The appointment was announced at the recent ATC’s high-level engagement and inaugural summit in Lagos, reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in advancing continental tourism.
The ATC serves as a strategic platform to promote intra-African travel, strengthen partnerships, advocate progressive policies, and position Africa as a unified global destination.
It was originally established in 1965 and, in 2021, revived in Ghana as a non-profit under Executive Director Lucky George.
Mr Awakan’s emergence as chairman builds on Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to global tourism development, including its historic role in shaping international tourism cooperation and the evolution of the World Tourism Organisation.
In his acceptance remark, Mr Awakan pledged to drive sustainable tourism growth, enhance competitiveness, deepen cultural exchange, and unlock broader economic opportunities across the continent through strong public–private collaboration.
The NTDA helmsman expressed optimism for Nigeria’s tourism sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He emphasised that Nigeria, under the present administration, was well-positioned to lead efforts to improve visa openness, strengthen air connectivity, and foster regional integration.
Mr Awakan said he would work to bring together tourism leaders from across the continent and to implement collaborative frameworks that will transform Africa into a premier global tourism hub through innovation and strategic advocacy.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 2
We have given basic education boost, enhanced human capital: Uba Sani
Mr Sani said, ” Primary education is where the foundations are laid. It is where a child learns to read, write, count, reason and relate with others.’’
Diaspora
Nigerian UK-based lawyer Emmanuel Oduntan caught, sanctioned for concealing multiple criminal convictions
Mr Oduntan, who was called to the Bar in 2002, was charged with six counts of professional misconduct, including failing to disclose his past criminal convictions.
Heading 1
APC asks Obi to quit 2027 presidential race over debt, poor performance as Anambra governor
The APC presidential campaign council asked Peter Obi, the NDC 2027 presidential candidate, to quit the race over his poor performance as Anambra State governor.
States
Borno LG enrols 119 out-of-school children
Dahiru Hamma, the council chairman, said the initiative was meant to complement Governor Babagana Zulum’s efforts to improve the education sector.
World
CNN, MS NOW, Politico to sue White House over Trump ban
Mr Trump last week banned journalists from CNN, Politico and MS NOW from covering him at the White House, citing unfavourable coverage of him and his administration.
Heading 5
Wike defends Rainbow Coalition, says Tinubu’s re-election remains major political priority
“My primary concern is whether Tinubu will be re-elected for a second term, and I am going to support Mr President with all my might and strength,” he said.
