NTDA Partners Creative Industry to Showcase Nigeria’s Stories, Boost Tourism

By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja

The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) is adopting a fresh strategy to enhance the nation’s tourism sector and strengthen the economy by collaborating with key stakeholders in the creative industry.

The agency intends to achieve this through film and storytelling, projecting Nigeria’s authentic image to attract both local and international visitors.
This development comes on the heels of recent engagements with prominent figures in the creative sector, including Dr. Shaibu Husseini of the National Film and Video Censors Board, filmmaker Abdulrasheed Bello (JJC Skillz), and Dr. Ali Nuhu of the Nigerian Film Corporation. The discussions focused on leveraging film, music, and other creative expressions to promote Nigeria’s tourism potential.
The Director General of NTDA stressed that storytelling remains central to reshaping Nigeria’s tourism image, noting, “Nigeria is a microcosm of stories, and we need to tell them ourselves.” He added that the initiative would foster partnerships with filmmakers, screenwriters, and other creatives.
According to the NTDA boss, storytelling has a unique ability to connect people with destinations, stating, “There is no better way to bring people to a destination than through stories they can connect with.”
JJC Skillz voiced his support for advancing Nigeria’s image through creative content, while Dr. Shaibu Husseini underscored the role of the film industry in unlocking the country’s tourism potential. “Tourism potential in Nigeria is enormous, and film provides a powerful platform to open up the sector to the world,” he said.
Dr. Ali Nuhu also expressed his endorsement of the initiative, pointing to Nigeria’s diverse locations and cultures that can be highlighted through film. “This kind of collaboration can help bring those stories to a wider audience,” he said.
The NTDA is currently engaging stakeholders across both public and private sectors to reinforce the creative ecosystem and position Nigeria as a prominent tourism destination.
By harnessing the power of the creative industry, the authority aims to present Nigeria’s rich stories and attractions to a global audience, ultimately driving tourism growth and economic development.