The newly appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, has officially assumed duty at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja, pledging to usher in a new era of innovation, collaboration, and renewed commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s tourism industry.
Upon his arrival, Mr. Awakan was received by the NTDA management team, led by Mr. Ovie Esewhaye, the Director overseeing the Office of the Director-General, who presented the official handover note.
The new helmsman thereafter met with Directors, toured the NTDA offices, and addressed members of staff at the NTDA Village Hall.
In his maiden address, Mr. Awakan expressed deep appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in him to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism.
“I’m happy to be here; this is a new dawn. There’s a lot to be done and, by the grace of God, it will be done,” he said. “Let me start by appreciating the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism.”
Mr. Awakan also commended the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, for her visionary leadership and dedication to repositioning the sector despite limited resources.
“The responsibility bestowed on her is weighty, and even with limited resources, she has been able to push ahead. I am here to complement her efforts,” he noted.
While acknowledging the achievements of his predecessors, the new Director-General pledged to build on their successes and strengthen the Authority’s capacity to attract both tourists and investors to Nigeria.
“My predecessors have done excellently well to the best of their ability, and the baton of leadership has been passed to me. I will take it up from here,” he affirmed.
He emphasized the importance of teamwork, innovation, and inclusivity in achieving the NTDA’s mandate.
“We need newness, freshness, and I can’t do it alone. We need collaborative effort,” he said. “I operate an open-door policy; no idea is a bad idea—it can be refined into a fantastic one. Let’s make history together and make Mr. President proud.”
Mr. Olayiwola Awakan is an award-winning journalist, thespian, dramatist, poet, and culture and tourism enthusiast.
His appointment reflects President Tinubu’s continued commitment to leveraging creativity, culture, and tourism as key drivers of Nigeria’s economic diversification and growth.
Reporting by Chioma Ezike