•Features Musawa, Senator Ali, others as speakers
Ahead of the upcoming Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2026, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has announced that this year’s event will focus on promoting investment, partnerships, and the development of the tourism sector.
This announcement was made by the President of FTAN, Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, at a media event held in Abuja. The event was organised by private sector operators in conjunction with FTAN’s 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the ninth edition of NTIFE. The AGM is scheduled for July 31, 2026, while NTIFE will take place from July 30 to 31, 2026, at the Monoliza Sports and Recreational Centre in Garki, Abuja.
“For over a decade, FTAN, through NTIFE, has consistently championed tourism investment, policy dialogue, destination promotion, and public-private collaboration,” Badaki noted.
He further elaborated on the evolution of NTIFE, stating, “Since its inception in 2013, NTIFE has transformed from an investment forum into Nigeria’s leading platform for tourism investment, policy engagement, and business development.”
According to Badaki, NTIFE 2026 has been revamped to align with the Federation’s goals of enhancing tourism cooperation, increasing investment and fostering cross-border public-private partnerships.
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“The Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition is now more than just an annual event; it is emerging as Nigeria’s premier platform for implementing tourism transformation,” he emphasised.
NTIFE has been repositioned as a broader regional investment platform, promoting expanded stakeholder participation and integrating with FTAN’s Annual General Meeting, as well as incorporating the COPITOUR Executive Meeting.
This year’s event will bring together policymakers, state governments, investors, development partners, financial institutions, international organisations, tourism associations, airlines, hospitality businesses, and destination managers. The goal is to move beyond dialogue and towards actionable commitments.
“NTIFE 2026 offers an unprecedented platform for regional cooperation, investment promotion, and cross-border tourism partnerships,” he stated. “Nigeria needs robust investment platforms capable of attracting investors, development partners, state governments, and tourism businesses.”
He encouraged all operators and government officials to participate in Nigeria’s foremost tourism investment gathering, where industry leaders, policymakers, investors, development partners, and tourism stakeholders will come together to shape the future of the sector.
The theme for NTIFE 2026 is “Tourism Transformation Through Collaboration, Policy Alignment, and Investment.” Badaki reiterated, “This event is more than just a gathering; it is a platform for strategic partnerships, innovative ideas, business opportunities, exhibitions, and sustainable investments that will redefine Nigeria’s tourism industry.”
Headline speakers for the forum include the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, who will serve as the Chief Hostess. Senator Ibrahim Ida, an entrepreneur, hotelier, lawyer, and Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), will deliver the keynote address. He is also the Waziri of Katsina and the proprietor of Bristol Palace Hotel Group.
A roundtable session with state commissioners for tourism will aim to identify tourism destinations with significant investment potential and discuss strategies for their development and promotion. This will be part of the investment discussions at the two-day event.
The first day’s panel session will be moderated by Mrs. Justina Ovat, featuring Dr. Ola Awakan (Director General, NTDA), Aare Fagade (Director General, NIHOTOUR), Dr. Badaki Aliyu (President, FTAN), Lolo Ngozi Ngoka (Managing Consultant, Zigona Advisory), and Mr. Lanre Balogun. Tourism Minister Musawa will present a lead paper on “Building a National Tourism Architecture for Nigeria.”
The second day will feature a panel session moderated by Ikechi Uko, with contributions from Dr. Gabe Onah (Calabar Carnival Promoter), Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare, Mrs. Nenadi (FCT Tourism Director), and Babatunde Hunpe (Executive Chairman, Badagry LGA). Uko will present a lead paper on harnessing tourism potential.
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