Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Hon. Arc Muhammad Muktar has assured that efforts are ongoing to strengthen the laws that would enable better regulation of the country’s tourism sector.
He gave the assurance at the 2026 National Hospitality and Tourism Stakeholders’ Forum, with the theme: “Shaping the Future of Nigerian Tourism Together”.
He said the legislative arm is there to make laws and be able to shape the tourism industry and make it a sector that will be able to drive the economy and improve Nigeria’s GDP.
“We have a bill that will put tourism and tourism related matters onto the concurrent list. Before it was on the residual list and this is what gives us bottlenecks because the states are in charge,” he said.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) Ola Awakan said the forum is not merely a ceremonial gathering; it is a strategic convergence point designed to foster dialogue, strengthen alignment, and catalyze actionable outcomes for the growth of the tourism sector.
He said tourism, both globally and domestic thrives on a tripod framework consisting of attractions, hospitality, and transportation.
He said the attractions represent Nigeria’s rich natural endowments, cultural heritage, festivals, and creative assets; hospitality defines the quality of experiences and services we provide to visitors; while transportation ensures accessibility, connectivity, and ease of movement across destinations.
“The effectiveness of our tourism sector is therefore dependent on how well these three pillars are developed, integrated, and managed.
“Nigeria is undeniably endowed with immense tourism potential. From our diverse ecological landscapes to our vibrant cultural expressions and globally recognized creative industry, we possess the assets required to become a leading tourism destination.
