“WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025” is a bold national initiative designed to elevate domestic tourism as a cornerstone of inclusive economic growth, making its grand debut in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dr. Mukhtar Muhammad, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy (FMACTCE), inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee for the event on June 18 in Abuja.
According to Dr. Muhammad, the event, slated for July 23-24, was organised by the FMACTCE and WelcomeToNigeria Ltd., in collaboration with key stakeholders across Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Muhammad said Nigeria’s rich tourism potential has remained underutilised for economic growth and national development due to inadequate investment in the sector and a lack of synergy among stakeholders.
He described the expo as a valuable platform for stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including policymakers, investors, and tourism experts, to come together and advance the development of Nigeria’s domestic tourism industry.
“As I keep saying, Nigeria is sitting on a goldmine that we have not yet explored, and that is tourism; it can take us to a level where it will be one of the greatest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP.
“Everywhere you look around us, you see plenty of things that are tourism monuments, so we have to be strategic, and that is what this expo is all about.
“There are tourism potentials all over this country, and developing all of them at once is a very herculean task, so we need to be strategic and start with the ones that are low-hanging, and then we move on.
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“With the WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025, I believe that we are just going to bring all of these things to the fore, and let’s see how we can develop them.
“I want to charge this committee to remain committed to the task ahead so we can have a seamless domestic tourism expo”, he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Isa Sago, President of WelcomeToNigeria Ltd. and National Coordinator of the WelcomeToNigeria Project, stated that the expo has the theme, “National Agenda on Tourism Partnership, Infrastructural Development, Institutional Linkages, Growth and Sustainable Development.”
According to him, as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economic mainstay from oil and unlock new frontiers, tourism is a viable alternative.
“The WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 is a rallying call for national participation; to awaken our collective consciousness to the power of tourism not only to entertain, but to educate, empower and economically uplift.
“This pivotal two-day Expo will convene stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, including federal and state ministries, tourism boards, international development partners, cultural and creative economy institutions, as well as community leaders.
“In this light, the expo scheduled to take place at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, is more than an event; it is a national call to action.
“It will provide the platform to craft these partnerships, with government leadership setting the tone and creating the enabling environment for innovation and investment,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Mr Sunday Bisong, Overseeing Director of the Department of Domestic Tourism Promotion at the FMACTCE, stated that tourism serves as an enabler of commerce, infrastructure development, cultural preservation, job creation, and national unity.
According to him, the inter-ministerial committee for the expo will serve as the engine room for coordination, collaboration, and innovation, as well as representation and inclusive participation across government MDAs and the private sector.
“As we inaugurate this committee, let us remember that we are not merely preparing for an event; we are laying the groundwork for a new chapter in domestic tourism growth.
“We are creating a platform that will drive state and local government investment, spotlight our cultural diversity, stimulate SMEs participation and open up new corridors of prosperity through the tourism value chain,” he said.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Answers
What is the WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025?
The WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 is a national initiative aimed at promoting and repositioning domestic tourism in Nigeria as a key driver of inclusive economic development. It aims to showcase Nigeria’s rich tourism potential and foster collaboration among stakeholders.
When and where will the Welcome to Nigeria Expo 2025 take place?
The expo is scheduled to be held from July 23 to 24, 2025, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria.
Who is organising the WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025?
The expo is being organised by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy (FMACTCE) and WelcomeToNigeria Ltd, in collaboration with other stakeholders in the tourism sector. An inter-ministerial committee has been inaugurated to oversee the event.
What is the main objective of the expo?
A4: The primary objective is to highlight Nigeria’s underutilised tourism potential, attract investment, and create synergy among public and private sector stakeholders to drive the growth of domestic tourism, ultimately contributing significantly to Nigeria’s GDP and economic diversification.
Who are the key participants expected at the expo?
The expo will convene a wide range of stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including federal and state ministries, tourism boards, international development partners, cultural and creative economy institutions, policymakers, investors, tourism experts, and community leaders.
What is the theme of the WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025?
The theme for the expo is “National Agenda on Tourism Partnership, Infrastructural Development, Institutional Linkages, Growth and Sustainable Development.”
How does domestic tourism contribute to Nigeria’s economy?
Domestic tourism helps diversify the economy away from oil, creates jobs across various sectors (including hospitality, transport, and local crafts), generates revenue, promotes infrastructure development, preserves cultural heritage, and fosters national unity by encouraging inter-state travel and understanding.
What challenges is the expo trying to address in Nigeria’s tourism sector?
The expo aims to address challenges such as inadequate investment in the tourism sector, a lack of synergy among stakeholders, and the need to strategically develop Nigeria’s vast but underutilised tourism potential. It also seeks to improve data collection and marketing efforts for Nigerian tourist sites.