It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025, a landmark event convened under the very apt theme: “National Agenda for Tourism Partnership on Infrastructure Development, Institutional Linkages, Growth and Sustainable Development.”

2.      Let me begin by commending the organizers of this Expo for their foresight in creating a robust platform where critical conversations on tourism development are being amplified. Your collective effort is a testament to the growing recognition that tourism is not only a cultural and social force but also an economic pillar capable of driving inclusive growth and national transformation.

3.      As we gather here today, we do so at a pivotal moment in our nation’s development trajectory. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, has reaffirmed its commitment to economic diversification, with tourism identified as one of the viable non-oil sectors to be strategically positioned for growth.

4.      This Expo offers us a unique opportunity to align tourism development with national planning priorities by forging sustainable partnerships for infrastructure development, enhancing institutional linkages, and promoting coherent strategies for growth and sustainable development.

5.      Infrastructure remains the bedrock of tourism viability. From transport networks to hospitality facilities, from heritage site preservation to smart digital systems, we must jointly invest in the enabling environment that will position Nigeria as a preferred destination for both domestic and international travelers. The Ministry is working with relevant MDAs and the private sector to unlock infrastructure investment through innovative models, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), special tourism zones, and incentive-driven investment schemes.

6.      Similarly, institutional linkages across sectors education, finance, environment, and technology must be strengthened to ensure synergy in policy implementation and human capital development to deepen tourism development. The future of tourism lies in integrated systems that are inclusive, knowledge-based, and technology-enabled, reason my Ministry is fully committed to supporting platforms like WelcomeToNigeria Expo, not just as a convening space, but as a tool for evidence-based policy influence. The insights, innovations, and collaborations that emerge from this Expo will help inform a more robust national framework for domestic tourism infrastructure development, support the operationalization of tourism economic zones, and promote the art, culture and the creative industries as engines of inclusive growth.

7.      Furthermore, sustainable development must remain at the heart of our agenda. As we pursue growth, we must also protect our cultural heritage, conserve our natural resources, empower host communities, and ensure that the benefits of tourism are broadly shared. We must build a tourism sector that not only adds to our GDP but uplifts our people and protects our planet.

8.      This gathering is more than an Expo it is a call to action. I urge all stakeholders here present to embrace the conversations, explore the partnerships, and commit to the actions that will shape the future of tourism in Nigeria. Let us harness our collective energies and talents to deliver on a shared national agenda.

9.      On this note, I once again welcome you and wish all the participation a fruitful and impactful event.

10.     Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The WelcometoNigeria Expo was held At Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, On 23rd – 24th July 2025