In a significant step toward boosting Nigeria’s tourism sector, the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emirates on Wednesday at the 2025 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.
This collaboration seeks to enhance inbound tourism to Nigeria by enabling Emirates to leverage its vast global network of over 140 destinations, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage, stunning natural attractions, and dynamic cities to international audiences.
As reported by the Nigerian Tribune, the agreement signed underscores the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the President’s Destination 2030 Soft Power Initiative, a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a global hub for culture, heritage, creativity, and leisure travel.
During the ceremony, Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s tourism future, emphasizing the partnership’s role in driving economic growth, fostering local opportunities, and positioning the country as a premier destination in Africa.
“This partnership with Emirates is a pivotal step towards achieving our tourism development objectives. It provides a powerful platform to tell Nigeria’s story to the world — a nation of extraordinary culture, natural wonders, and unrivaled hospitality.
“By strengthening strategic international alliances, we are creating new opportunities for our local communities, driving economic growth, and repositioning Nigeria as the tourism heartbeat of Africa.”
Commenting, the Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, Adnan Kazim, emphasised the airline’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s unique attractions and warm hospitality to international travellers.
Since resuming operations in Lagos in October 2024, we have focused on deepening our strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation, tourism, and trade sectors.
“This partnership with the Nigerian Tourism Ministry solidifies our commitment to driving international travellers to experience the country’s fascinating history, urban cities, the untapped, stunning natural world, and the warm hospitality that characterises Nigerian culture.”
The Mou outlined collaborative initiatives to attract visitors from key source markets, organise familiarisation trips, offer trade partners and tour operators incentives, and develop joint marketing programs.
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The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), the Ministry’s tourism promotion agency, will spearhead these efforts as part of a comprehensive strategy to revitalise the tourism sector and diversify the economy.
Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, and Abiola Abdulkareem, Special Assistant to the Minister on Subnational Development and Tourism, formally signed the Mou.
In attendance were the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Dubai, UAE, Zayyanu Ibrahim; Faiz Imam, Chief Adviser to the Minister; Boye Balogun, Programme Director for the Destination 2030 Nigeria Everywhere Initiative; Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President of Passenger Sales and Country Management; Paulos Lagesse, the airline’s Country Director for Nigeria; and other senior officials and stakeholders.
The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy remains committed to fostering international collaborations, investing in tourism infrastructure, and elevating Nigeria’s global profile as a preferred destination for culture, creativity, and leisure.
