Joel Ajayi
The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has stated that, the forthcoming 2026 Nigeria Tourism and Hospitality Investment Summit/Expo (NTFE) will attract investment into Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector as well creating opportunities for both local and international investors to connect with viable businesses and destinations.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja at a press conference ahead of the Nigeria Tourism Investors’ Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2026, FTAN President Alhaji Badaki Aliyu, Ph.D said the time had come to move beyond policy discussions and embrace practical implementation capable of transforming the country’s tourism industry.
The gathering of tourism stakeholders slated for 29th to 30th of July 2026 will help Nigeria’s tourism sector as a major driver of economic diversification, investment, employment generation and regional integration
According to him, after more than a decade of promoting tourism investment and policy dialogue through NTIFE, the industry has reached a critical stage where coordinated action is more important than continued conversations.
“Nigeria does not need more conversations about tourism. What we need now is coordinated implementation. The Tourism Transformation Mandate converts vision into action, partnerships into implementation and policies into measurable results,” he said.
Aliyu explained that the mandate is built on seven strategic pillars: policy alignment, investment mobilisation, destination development, strategic partnerships, human capital development, innovation, research and data, as well as regional and global positioning.
He said FTAN would work closely with the Federal Government, state governments, the National Assembly, regulatory agencies, development partners and the organised private sector to improve the ease of doing business, strengthen tourism governance and accelerate the implementation of Nigeria’s National Tourism Policy.
The FTAN President noted that Nigeria possesses enormous tourism assets that can be transformed into viable investment opportunities through project packaging, investor matchmaking, destination promotion and financing partnerships.
He added that every state has unique tourism attractions that should be identified, developed, branded and commercialised to stimulate local economic growth while attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
Aliyu also stressed the importance of building a globally competitive tourism workforce through professional certification, leadership development, digital skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes.
He explained that evidence-based planning would remain central to the initiative, with the FTAN Research and Development Directorate providing market intelligence, tourism research, policy advisory services, innovation, monitoring and evaluation.
According to him, NTIFE 2026 will serve as the implementation platform for the Tourism Transformation Mandate rather than just another annual industry gathering.
The forum is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, state governments, financial institutions, development partners, airlines, hospitality operators, destination managers and international organisations to foster practical partnerships for sector growth.
Aliyu disclosed that one of the major highlights of the event would be the participation of tourism association presidents from ECOWAS member states under COPITOUR, reinforcing Nigeria’s ambition to become West Africa’s preferred tourism investment hub.
He said expected outcomes of NTIFE 2026 include stronger public-private partnerships, increased tourism investment commitments, enhanced collaboration among states, improved policy coordination, destination promotion, regional tourism cooperation and the establishment of a coordinated national framework for implementing the Tourism Transformation Mandate.
Calling on stakeholders to support the initiative, Aliyu emphasised that transforming Nigeria’s tourism industry is a collective responsibility.
“Tourism transformation is not the responsibility of government alone. It belongs to every investor, every state, every tourism business, every development partner, every community and every Nigerian.
“Let us align our policies, mobilise investment, strengthen our institutions, develop competitive destinations, create jobs and preserve our rich cultural heritage. Together, we can build a tourism economy that contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s prosperity,” he said.
He expressed confidence that through collaboration, innovation and sustained implementation, Nigeria’s tourism sector could emerge as one of the country’s leading contributors to economic growth, employment and sustainable national development.
Providing further details on the event, FTAN First Deputy President and Chairman of the NTIFE 2026 Planning Committee, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, said delegates from about 12 West African countries are expected to attend the forum.
She said the event will also attract governors, ministers, commissioners for tourism, development partners, investors and other key stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
Akporiaye explained that the forum is designed to bridge the gap between investors and viable tourism opportunities across Nigeria.
“Many potential investors are willing to invest, but they often lack access to credible opportunities. NTIFE 2026 will provide a platform where investors can connect directly with bankable tourism projects, state governments and entrepreneurs, creating partnerships that will stimulate growth across the sector,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the forum would strengthen investor confidence, unlock new business opportunities and accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry.
