The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has called on the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) to deepen its role as a global ambassador for the country.

She said that travel professionals must actively shape Nigeria’s image and support government efforts to reposition the tourism sector.

Speaking over the weekend in Ibadan at the 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NANTA with the theme: ‘Embracing Our Diverse Cultural Heritage from the City of Firsts: Redefining Our Role as Global Ambassadors’, Musawa said NANTA had, over the years, functioned as an unofficial representative of Nigeria on the global stage.

She, however, urged the association to become more deliberate in promoting a positive national identity.

She noted that with Nigerians spread across the world and a youthful population of about 70 per cent, stakeholders must align with the government’s long-term vision, including the 2030 Development Agenda.

She maintained that every interaction with international travellers presents an opportunity to reshape perceptions about Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, challenged NANTA to take a frontline role in reshaping Nigeria’s image abroad.

In a bid to build the country’s image, Dabiri-Erewa called for due diligence before NANTA’s members issued air tickets to suspicious travellers, especially underage children.

She stated that NiDCOM was willing and ready to work with NANTA to improve the country’s image wherever its citizens reside.

Dabiri-Erewa further encouraged NANTA to strengthen its presence in international aviation and travel bodies such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), noting that such platforms provide opportunities to amplify Nigeria’s voice globally.

In his address, the President of NANTA, Dr Yinka Folami, promised that the association would continue to work with the government and its agencies to boost its image.

Folami explained that its members had, over the years, been good ambassadors for Nigeria by representing the country at various international conferences, including the World Travel Market (WTM).