Olayiwola Awakan ATC appointment marks a milestone as NTDA DG becomes Chairman of African Travel Commission to boost continental tourism
By Cyril Ehis
Olayiwola Awakan, the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), has been appointed as Chairman of African Travel Commission (ATC).
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The appointment was announced at the recent ATC’s high-level engagement and inaugural summit held in March, reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in advancing continental tourism.
Recall that the ATC serves as a strategic platform to promote intra-African travel, strengthen partnerships, advocate progressive policies, and position Africa as a unified global destination.
It was originally established in 1965 and revived in Ghana in 2021 as a non-profit under its Executive Director, Lucky George.
Awakan’s emergence as chairman builds on Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to global tourism development, including its historic role in shaping international tourism cooperation and the evolution of the World Tourism Organisation.
In his acceptance remark, Awakan pledged to drive sustainable tourism growth, enhance competitiveness, deepen cultural exchange, and unlock broader economic opportunities across the continent through strong public–private collaboration.
The NTDA helmsman expressed optimism for Nigeria’s tourism sector development under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He emphasised that Nigeria, under the present administration, was well positioned to lead efforts aimed at improving visa openness, strengthening air connectivity, and fostering regional integration.
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Awakan said he would work towards bringing together tourism leaders from across the continent and implement collaborative frameworks that will transform Africa into a premier global tourism hub through innovation, and strategic advocacy.
