Joel Ajayi
The 8th edition of the National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo has concluded in Abuja with a strong call for the integration of entrepreneurship development, skills acquisition and capacity-building programmes into the national policy framework for the tourism and transportation sectors.
According to the communique issued at the end of the two-day summit, stakeholders emphasized that such initiatives are essential for empowering youth and women, equipping them with the practical skills required to enter the industry, and stimulating investment through effective collaboration among training and capacity-development institutions. This, they noted, is critical for advancing the growth of Nigeria’s travel, tourism, hospitality and transportation sectors.
The communique further highlighted the need for strengthened cooperation among key public and private sector players, including the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), certification bodies, and leading training institutions such as NIHOTOUR and NCAT.
This collaboration, stakeholders said, is vital for enhancing service quality and aligning operations with global best practices.
Participants also underscored the importance of standardizing operational guidelines across the tourism and transportation value chain, increasing investment in transportation infrastructure, and developing tourist destinations through public-private partnerships built on strong synergistic frameworks.
On tourism development, the summit stressed the need for a renewed focus on community-based tourism at the grassroots level, where most of Nigeria’s tourism wealth is located. It urged the federal and state governments to work closely with local governments and community leaders to upgrade tourist sites, strengthen heritage management and empower local stakeholders to drive tourism business sustainably.
The communique also called for the revitalization of Local Government Tourism Committees to ensure inclusive participation in tourism activities. It emphasized the importance of developing quality infrastructure—especially transportation, described as the “lifeline of the industry”—to enhance the tourism value chain, stimulate local economies, and promote cultural preservation and national heritage.
The resolutions emerged from expert presentations and panel discussions aligned with the Summit’s theme: “Tourism–Transportation Connectivity: Accelerating Synergy for National Socio-Economic Growth and Development.”
Speakers addressed key sub-themes including:
Standards and Policies for Sustainable Tourism and Transportation Development
Driving Economic Growth through Private Sector Participation
Destination Development and Human Capital Capacity Building.
Community-Based and Inclusive Tourism for Social Integration and Empowerment
Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Tourism Transport Corridors
Sustainable Marine Resource Management for Blue Economy Growth.
Participating organizations and agencies that presented papers at NTTSummit 2025 included: the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), National College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA), among others.
