The tourism landscape of Southwest Nigeria is set for a major transformation as the President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Prince Femi Fadina, embarked on a strategic two-day engagement in Ibadan, fostering collaborations to unlock the region’s vast tourism potential.
A key highlight of this tour was a high-level meeting with the Director General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Mr. Seye Oyeleye, and his team. The discussions centred on forging a robust partnership to drive a sustainable tourism agenda to reposition the Southwest as a premier destination for heritage, culture, and eco-tourism.
Mr. Oyeleye, recognizing the ATPN President’s visionary leadership and commitment to tourism advocacy, commended his unwavering dedication to destination development. He reaffirmed the DAWN Commission’s readiness to collaborate with ATPN and the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) to implement strategic initiatives to harness the region’s economic and social potential.
Speaking with passion and urgency, the ATPN President emphasized the need for decisive action:
“The time is right—let’s unleash the tourism potential of the Southwest! Our region is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural wonders. We cannot afford to keep its immense opportunities untapped. This is the moment to unite, innovate, and create a thriving tourism economy that benefits our people and positions the Southwest as a leading destination in Africa.”
This strategic engagement marks a new chapter for tourism in Southwest Nigeria, setting the stage for more substantial synergies between industry stakeholders, policymakers, and development agencies.
As the ATPN President leads the charge, the call to action is clear—beyond conversations, stakeholders must commit to tangible steps that will build a dynamic, resilient, and globally competitive tourism industry for the region.
According to Prince Fadina, “What we are doing is enhancing the regional particularistic potential of each region in Nigeria and developing an inter-regional tourism calendar to promote unity in Diversity. We are kicking off from the Southwest and see the DAWN Commission as the core strategic partner.”
