By Justina Okpanku
Chairman, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC),
Senator Ibrahim Ida is expected to join
Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa at the forthcoming Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2026 which is designed to connect investors with tourism opportunities that abound across the country.
Supervisory tourism minister, Musawa who is pencilled as ‘Chief Hostess’ will present a lead paper on ‘Building a National Tourism Architecture for Nigeria.’
Ida, an hotel investor (proprietor of Bristol Palace Hotel Group) will deliver the keynote address at the event which will be taking place at Monoliza Sports and Recreational Centre, Garki, Abuja later this month.
The organisers of the event with the theme titled “Tourism Transformation Through Collaboration, Policy Alignment and Investment”
said “It’s time to “Connect, Collaborate, Invest and Transform Nigeria Tourism.’’
President, the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, at a media briefing in Lagos recently said NTIFE 2026 aims to highlight FTAN’s drive for high investment, regional, private-public partnerships and development of the tourism sector.
Badaki said the NTIFE
is more than an event; “it’s a platform for strategic partnerships, innovative ideas, business opportunities, exhibitions and sustainable investment that will redefine Nigeria’s tourism industry.’’
He explained that the 2-day forum will focus on FTAN 29th annual general meeting (AGM) and ninth edition of NTIFE, with the AGM billed to hold on July 31, 2026 while NTIFE holds between July 30 and 31, 2026.
He said:
‘‘For over a decade, FTAN, through NTIFE, has consistently championed tourism investment, policy dialogue, destination promotion, and public-private collaboration.
‘‘Since its inception in 2013, NTIFE has evolved from an investment forum into Nigeria’s foremost private-sector platform for tourism investment, policy engagement, and business development.
“NTIFE 2026 has been upgraded, explaining that ‘‘it is no longer simply an annual event. NTIFE has been repositioned as a broader regional investment platform through expanded stakeholder participation, integration with FTAN’s Annual General Meeting, and the inclusion of the COPITOUR Executive Meeting.”
He continued, “This year’s edition of NTIFE will involve policymakers, state governments, investors, development partners, financial institutions, international organisations, tourism associations, airlines, hospitality businesses, and destination managers, to move beyond dialogue to practical commitments.’’
It is perhaps this reason he said NTIFE 2026 is providing an unprecedented platform for regional cooperation, investment promotion and cross-border tourism partnerships calling for greater private sector participation in developing Nigeria’s tourism industry.
‘‘Nigeria,” according to the FTAN President,” “requires stronger investment platforms capable of attracting investors, development partners, state governments and tourism businesses.’’
He also stressed that investment in the tourism sector should not be limited to wealthy individuals or multinational corporations.
He therefore urged all operators and government officials to “be part of Nigeria’s foremost tourism investment gathering as industry leaders, policymakers, investors, development partners, and tourism stakeholders in order to shape the future of tourism subsector.’’
Highlights of 2026 NTIFE will include
a roundtable session with state commissioners among other activities.
The tourism commissioners drawn from across the country as panelists will identify tourism destinations with strong investment potential as well as discuss strategies for their development and promotion.
Day 1 panel session will be moderated by private tourism operator, Mrs. Justina Ovat, with Dr. Ola Awakan and Aare Abisoye Fagade,
Directors General, Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and NIHOTOUR respectively and others.
Day 2 panel session will be moderated by Mr. Ikechi Uko, the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Lagos.
Uko is billed to present a lead paper on ‘Harnessing Tourism for Economic Growth: State Policies, Infrastructure, and Destination Development.’
