Minister inaugurates 2025 tourism, hospitality summit committee

Ahead of the upcoming Tourism and Hospitality Summit 2025, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, has officially inaugurated the Planning Committee for the success of the event.

Masawa inaugurated the committee members during a brief ceremony held at the Minister’s conference room, Federal Secretariat Phase II, Abuja.

The summit, scheduled for November 24 and 25, 2025 in Abuja, is being organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

It is set to be a landmark event aimed at repositioning Nigeria as a globally competitive tourism and hospitality destination.

In her address, the minister emphasised the strategic importance of the sector, noting that tourism is a vital driver of economic growth, job creation, cultural exchange, and foreign exchange earnings.

“When effectively harnessed,” she stated, “the tourism and hospitality industry can significantly diversify our economy and contribute meaningfully to our national GDP.”

She highlighted that the committee is composed of seasoned stakeholders drawn from both public and private sectors, including policy experts, investors, operators, and development partners.

Musawa noted that the move reflects the ministry’s commitment to inclusive, multi-sectoral collaboration in shaping the future of tourism in Nigeria.

The minister outlined the committee’s terms of reference, which include: Strategic planning and coordination of summit activities, Theme and content development aligned with national and global priorities, Stakeholder engagement across government, private sector, academia, and civil society and Program structuring, including keynote sessions, panels, and exhibitions.

Others are resource mobilization through sponsorships and partnerships, Publicity and media strategy for national and international visibility and Post-summit documentation and implementation roadmap.

Musawa said “You have been carefully selected for your expertise, dedication, and passion for the growth of our sector,” the Minister charged the committee. “Approach this task with innovation and a sense of national duty. The Ministry, in partnership with NESG, will fully support your work.”

She further appreciated NESG for its steadfast partnership in national development and officially inaugurated the committee.

In response, Dr. Badaki Aliyu, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), commended the ministry for the summit initiative and the inclusive composition of the committee, which spans federal, state, local government, and private sector representation. He pledged the full support of the organised private sector to ensure a successful summit.

Also speaking, Dorathy Duruaku, Director of International Tourism, Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, assured the ministry of the Committee’s dedication to delivering a memorable and impactful event.

A representative of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) reiterated the organisation’s commitment to the summit’s success, pledging continued collaboration with the Ministry and other stakeholders.

The ceremony concluded with a celebratory cake-cutting, marking not only the inauguration but also celebrating the recent successful FTAN Annual General Meeting and election, which ushered in Alhaji Badaki Aliyu as FTAN President.

The Permanent Secretary congratulated the newly elected President and assured him of the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the private sector to build a vibrant and resilient tourism industry.

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