Awakan assumes office as NTDA DG, pledges to advance Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism
Maureen Aguta
The newly appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, has officially assumed duty at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja, with a firm commitment to reposition Nigeria’s tourism industry in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mr. Awakan, who was received by the NTDA management team led by Mr. Ovie Esewhaye, the Director overseeing the Office of the Director-General, formally took over the reins of leadership after the presentation of the official handover note. He subsequently met with the directors, toured the Authority’s offices, and addressed members of staff at the NTDA Village Hall.
In his maiden address, the new Director-General expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility of driving the administration’s development agenda through tourism.
“This is a new dawn. There’s a lot to be done, and by the grace of God, it will be done,” he said. “I appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism.”
Mr. Awakan also lauded the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, for her dedication to repositioning the sector despite prevailing constraints, pledging to build on her efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and deliver tangible results.
“The responsibility bestowed on her is weighty, and even with limited resources, she has been able to push ahead. I am here to complement her efforts,” he stated.
While commending the achievements of his predecessors, Mr. Awakan assured that his administration would consolidate on past successes and introduce innovative strategies to attract both domestic and international tourists, as well as investors, to Nigeria’s growing tourism landscape.
“My predecessors have done excellently well to the best of their ability, and the baton of leadership has been passed to me. I will take it up from here,” he affirmed.
The NTDA boss emphasized teamwork, creativity, and inclusiveness as key to delivering on the Authority’s mandate.
“We need newness, freshness—and I can’t do it alone. Collaboration is essential. I operate an open-door policy because no idea is a bad idea; it can always be refined into a great one. Let’s make history together and make Mr. President proud,” he urged staff.
Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, an award-winning journalist, dramatist, poet, and tourism advocate, brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the role. His appointment underscores the Tinubu administration’s resolve to harness Nigeria’s cultural and tourism assets as catalysts for economic diversification and sustainable growth.
