NTDA DG appointed chairman ATC
The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, has been appointed Chairman African Travel Commission (ATC), reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in advancing continental tourism. The announcement
The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, has been appointed Chairman African Travel Commission (ATC), reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in advancing continental tourism.
The announcement was made in Abuja, Tuesday after high-level engagements led by ATC’s Executive Director, Dr. Lucky George and following the commission’s inaugural summit in Lagos recently.
A.statement by NTDA said Dr. 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 Organization.
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Accepting the position, he pledged to drive sustainable tourism growth, enhance competitiveness, deepen cultural exchange, and unlock broader economic opportunities across the continent through strong public–private collaboration.
He expressed optimism for Nigeria’s tourism sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that Nigeria is well positioned to lead efforts aimed at improving visa openness, strengthening connectivity, and fostering regional integration.
Dr. Lucky George said the appointment places Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s tourism renaissance, with plans to convene tourism leaders from across the continent and implement collaborative frameworks that will transform Africa into a premier global tourism hub through innovation, unity and strategic advocacy.
Originally established in 1965 and revived in Ghana in 2021 as a non-profit under Executive Director, Dr. Lucky George, 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.
