By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LEXLUC Global Services and Tours Ltd. to promote domestic tourism, cultural heritage and destination awareness across Nigeria.
The agreement provides a framework for implementing and expanding the Meet My Town, Know My State initiative, which encourages Nigerians to explore domestic destinations, learn about their cultural heritage and participate in tourism.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, LEXLUC Chief Executive Officer, Oluwole Ajayi, said the initiative would help Nigeria harness its tourism potential, attract investment and create opportunities in the sector.
“Tourism is number one employer worldwide. Whether we like it or not, we have to key into it and make sure it becomes the number one employer in Nigeria, too,” Ajayi said.
He also spoke about plans for a proposed West African Jollof Rice Championship and Tourism Festival, which he said could complement the initiative, subject to planning and approvals.
Ajayi expressed confidence that the partnership would advance the initiative and attract investors to Nigeria’s tourism industry.
The Director-General of NTDA, Ola Awakan, said the partnership aligned with the authority’s mandate to promote and develop tourism, stressing the importance of private-sector collaboration.
“It’s a laudable project. We are going to give you national and institutional backing. You are also helping us achieve our mandate, and we are helping you to bring your idea to fruition. So, it is a win-win situation. All of this is in the interest of Nigeria,” Awakan said.
Under the MoU, LEXLUC will coordinate approved activities, develop tourism packages, mobilise sponsorship and partnerships, and report on progress. NTDA will provide tourism information, institutional coordination, policy guidance and support for stakeholder engagement, subject to its mandate and applicable approvals.
The initiative is expected to promote domestic travel and cultural heritage through organised tours, tourism education, awareness campaigns, events and stakeholder engagements.
The signing was coordinated by NTDA Head of Legal Services, Olufunke Soleye, and LEXLUC Head of Legal, Mary Oluwatoyin Noibi-Edoze.
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