By Peter Omopo
The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, has been appointed Chairman of the African Travel Commission (ATC).
The announcement was made during high-level engagements following the ATC’s inaugural summit held in Lagos. The Commission serves as a strategic platform to promote intra-African travel, strengthen cross-border partnerships, advocate progressive tourism policies and position Africa as a unified global destination.
Stakeholders said Dr. Awakan’s appointment reflects Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to international tourism development, including its historic role in shaping global tourism cooperation and supporting the evolution of multilateral tourism institutions.
In his acceptance speech, the NTDA Director-General pledged to prioritise sustainable tourism growth across the continent. He outlined plans to enhance Africa’s competitiveness as a travel destination, deepen cultural exchange and unlock broader economic opportunities through stronger public–private sector collaboration.
Dr. Awakan also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s tourism prospects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that the country is well positioned to champion initiatives aimed at improving visa openness, strengthening air connectivity and promoting regional integration.
These priorities were echoed at the February ATC Summit, co-hosted by the NTDA and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where participants called for coordinated action to accelerate travel and tourism development across Africa.
Established in 1965, the African Travel Commission was revived in Ghana in 2021 as a non-profit organisation under its Executive Director, Dr. Lucky George.
Observers say the new leadership is expected to consolidate efforts toward advancing seamless travel and positioning Africa as a competitive force in the global tourism market.
