NTDC to engage creative industry key players, promote film storytelling

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) said to engage creative industry
keyplayers to promote film, telling story to boost tourism development.

The effort follows recent meetings with the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr Shaibu Husseini, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr Ali Nuhu, and Filmmaker Music producer, Abdulrasheed Bello.

Discussions focused on how film, music and other creative content can be used to present a more authentic image of Nigeria and attract both local and international visitors.

The Director General of NTDA
Awakan, said that
Storytelling is what we want to use to put a new face to tourism.
“Nigeria is a microcosm of stories, and we need to tell them ourselves.”

He added that the initiative would involve working with filmmakers, screenwriters and other creatives, while strengthening collaboration across institutions within the sector.

“There is no better way to bring people to a destination than through stories they can connect with,” he said.

Similarly, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board,
Dr Shaibu Husseini highlighted the role of film in opening up Nigeria’s tourism potential.

“We will continue to encourage our filmmakers to tell our stories using our tourism locations. Tourism potential in Nigeria is enormous, and film provides a powerful platform to open up the sector to the world,” he said.

Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr Ali Nuhu said the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to explore the potential of film in promoting tourism.

“Nigeria has diverse locations and cultures that can be explored through film,” he said. “
“This kind of collaboration can help bring those stories to a wider audience.”

Meanwhile, Filmmaker Music producer Abdulrasheed Bello said he is open to supporting efforts to promote Nigeria through creative content.

The NTDA says it is engaging stakeholders across the public and private sectors to strengthen the creative ecosystem and position Nigeria as a more visible tourism destination.