Get Guardian on GoogleThe President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Dr Yinka Folami, has commended the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and its Director-General, Dr Ola Awakan, for leading Nigeria’s successful return to the World Travel Market (WTM) London after years of inconsistent participation.
Folami described Nigeria’s participation at the 2026 edition of the global travel trade exhibition, held at ExCeL London from November 3 to 5, as historic, saying the country had regained visibility and strengthened its engagement with international tourism stakeholders.
Nigeria’s return to the event, regarded as one of the world’s biggest travel trade exhibitions, followed its absence from the 2025 edition and more than a decade of inconsistent representation.
Speaking on behalf of NANTA, Folami, who was represented at the event by the association’s First Deputy President, Mustapha Mohammed, said the NTDA-led participation demonstrated the importance of sustained government and private sector collaboration in promoting the country’s tourism potential.
He said NANTA, which had a dedicated presence at the NTDA stand, was proud to have supported the initiative, adding that the exhibition provided Nigeria with an opportunity to showcase its tourism assets, strengthen strategic partnerships and explore new international markets.
According to him, the NTDA’s participation went beyond establishing a national pavilion, as it offered Nigeria an opportunity to tell its tourism story to a global audience and to reconnect with the international travel industry.
He said: “On behalf of NANTA, I want to commend the Director-General of NTDA, Dr Ola Awakan, for putting together an impressive outing for Nigeria at WTM London. He did not just take Nigeria to London; he took Nigeria back to the world.
“President Bola Tinubu has also commended Awakan for his storytelling, collaboration and innovation during his first year in office. NANTA will continue to support the authority’s efforts to reposition Nigeria as a competitive global tourism destination.”
He assured that the association’s partnership with NTDA would not end with the London exhibition, noting that government agencies and private-sector operators must work together to unlock economic opportunities in the country’s tourism industry.
The NANTA President also called for sustained Nigerian participation in major international tourism exhibitions, including the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, ITB Berlin and the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.
He posited that regular participation in such events would improve Nigeria’s international visibility, attract investment and create opportunities for tourism businesses.
He further urged tourism associations and operators, including the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), hoteliers, airlines and state tourism boards to support government initiatives aimed at developing the sector.
Folami also commended the Founder of NTT Global Destinations, Elizabeth Agbola, for working with the NTDA leadership to facilitate Nigeria’s return to the international exhibition.
He commended the contributions of NANTA members, its Board of Trustees Chairman, Aminu Agoha and other industry stakeholders who travelled to London and supported the country’s participation.
Folami recalled that the association handed over the responsibility of organising Nigeria’s presence at WTM in 2024, stressing that the priority should be ensuring the country’s consistent representation, rather than determining which organisation controls the national pavilion.
He expressed optimism that the renewed collaboration between the government and private sector would sustain Nigeria’s presence at international tourism platforms.
