National Coordinator, WelcometoNigeria Project and President WellcometoNigeria Ltd, Mr. Isa Yusuf Sago urges institutional synergy and public-private partnerships to drive sustainable growth in the Tourism Sector

Abuja, Nigeria (July 23, 2025) – The WelcometoNigeria Expo 2025 officially opened today at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, with a passionate and visionary address delivered by Mr. Isa Yusuf Sago, National Coordinator of the Welcome2Nigeria Project. The two-day event, running from July 23 to 24, brings together key stakeholders across government, private sector, and civil society to advance strategic conversations around Nigeria’s tourism potential.

In his address, Mr. Sago emphasized the need to position tourism infrastructure development as a core component of Nigeria’s national economic agenda, describing tourism as “more than travel and hospitality – it is infrastructure, innovation, heritage, and economic vitality.”

“It is time to view tourism not as an afterthought, but as a catalyst – a powerful driver of inclusive growth, rural revitalization, and foreign exchange earnings,” Mr. Sago stated. “For tourism to thrive, we must invest deliberately in the development of enabling infrastructure across all six geo-political zones.”

He called for strong institutional linkages among key government agencies, urging Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in culture, transport, aviation, interior, environment, marine and blue economy,  security  and planning to work in alignment toward shared tourism objectives for national development.

Equally, Mr. Sago spotlighted the importance of public-private partnerships (PPP) in achieving tourism-led development, stating that “the government alone cannot do it.” He encouraged private sector players to seize the opportunities within Nigeria’s evolving tourism landscape and co-develop scalable, sustainable tourism projects with public institutions.

The Welcome2Nigeria Expo 2025 features high-level panel discussions, investment forums, exhibitions, and cultural showcases aimed at repositioning Nigeria as a premier tourism destination in Africa.

“Let this Expo be more than just bringing people together – let it be a launchpad for impactful decisions, transformative collaborations, and lasting commitments,” Mr. Sago concluded. “Welcome to a new narrative. Welcome to Nigeria.”

For more information, interviews, or media enquiries, please contact:
Welcome2Nigeria Project Secretariat
Email: media@welcometonigeriaexpo.com

Welcometonigeriaexpo@gmail.com
Phone: +234 (0) 806 308 3046
Website: www.welcome2nigeria.org