Nigeria strengthens international tourism relations with Türkiye: FTAN cooperates with the Turkish Embassy to enhance bilateral cooperation and investments

Posted on November 1, 2025

Through interaction with the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has initiated a new phase in its diplomatic endeavors with the aim of promoting international tourism cooperation. A courtesy call on His Excellency Mehmet Buroy, Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, this visit is the first of several high-level meetings demonstrating FTAN’s dedication to promoting the Nigerian tourism industry internationally. This engagement is a bold step towards changing the tourism landscape in Nigeria and establishing closer relationships with foreign partners, and is part of the “3-Pillar Tourism Transformation Mandate” of FTAN President Dr. Aliyu Badaki.

The role of FTAN in tourism diplomacy in Nigeria

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) plays a pivotal role in representing the interests of the Nigerian tourism industry. Founded in 1997, FTAN is an umbrella body for private sector stakeholders in the tourism industry, bridging the gap between government agencies and the private sector. FTAN’s mandate has always included advocating for policy reforms, promoting tourism development, and facilitating international cooperation. Under the leadership of Dr. Aliu Badaki, FTAN has set ambitious goals to transform Nigeria’s tourism industry into a major player in global tourism. This transformation is guided by a comprehensive three-pillar strategy focusing on tourism infrastructure, sustainability, and international engagement.

The recent visit to the Turkish Embassy is part of FTAN’s broader efforts to raise the profile of tourism diplomacy in Nigeria. By engaging with the Turkish government and tourism stakeholders, FTAN seeks to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation, enhance cultural exchanges and promote tourism investment between Nigeria and Turkey.

Türkiye: An essential partner in tourism diplomacy

Türkiye, known for its rich history, vibrant culture and thriving tourism sector, stands out as a valuable partner for Nigeria in international tourism cooperation. With its well-established tourism infrastructure and long-standing reputation as one of the world’s best travel destinations, Türkiye has a lot to offer Nigeria as a model for tourism development. Turkey’s tourism sector, which attracts millions of visitors annually, is a significant contributor to the country’s economy, creating jobs, promoting investment, and generating foreign exchange. For Nigeria, engaging with Türkiye represents an opportunity to learn from its success story and implement best practices in the Nigerian context.

Furthermore, Nigeria and Turkey share common interests in promoting sustainable tourism, promoting cultural exchange, and strengthening people-to-people ties. Both countries are committed to leveraging tourism as an engine for economic growth and national development. By deepening their bilateral relations, Nigeria and Turkey have the potential to create synergies that will benefit the tourism industries of both countries and their economies more broadly.

Strategic engagement: key focus areas

The visit to the Turkish Embassy was not just a celebratory gesture, but rather a strategic step towards establishing stronger relations between the two countries. Discussions during the visit revolved around several key areas of cooperation, including:

• Bilateral tourism cooperation: One of the primary objectives of the engagement was to explore ways to expand bilateral tourism cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey. This includes initiatives to increase the number of tourist arrivals, improve air connectivity, and enhance joint marketing campaigns. By working together, the two countries can create more opportunities for tourists to travel between Nigeria and Turkey, thus enhancing tourism revenues and cultural exchange.
• Investment opportunitiesAnother crucial aspect of the discussions is exploring investment opportunities in the tourism sector. Türkiye’s tourism industry has attracted significant foreign investment, and FTAN is keen to attract similar investments to Nigeria’s tourism infrastructure. This could include cooperation in hotel development, resort construction, transportation networks, and tourism-related services. Such investments would contribute to the development of the tourism sector in Nigeria and create new job opportunities for local communities.
• Cultural exchange: Cultural exchange is an essential element of international tourism diplomacy. During the visit, FTAN and the Turkish Embassy discussed opportunities to increase cultural exchange between the two countries. This could include organizing joint cultural events, festivals and exhibitions showcasing the unique traditions, art and heritage of both countries. Such initiatives would enhance mutual understanding and appreciation between the peoples of Nigeria and Turkey, enhancing the overall tourism experience for visitors.
• Developing tourism infrastructure: FTAN is also focusing on improving tourism infrastructure in Nigeria to make the country more attractive to international tourists. Through partnerships with countries such as Turkey, FTAN hopes to gain insight into best practices for infrastructure development, including building modern tourism facilities, modernizing transportation networks, and establishing sustainable tourism practices.

The role of NTT’s global destinations

FTAN’s newly formed partnership with NTT Global Destinations, a leading player in international tourism relations, was another important aspect of the Turkish Embassy’s visit. NTT Global Destinations has been appointed as FTAN’s partner in international relations and strategic engagements, signaling a new approach to global cooperation. NTT’s experience in building international tourism networks will play a crucial role in facilitating the exchange of ideas, knowledge and resources between Nigeria and Turkey.

By working with NTT Global Destinations, FTAN aims to enhance its ability to establish meaningful partnerships with other countries, international tourism organizations, and private investors. This collaboration is expected to create new opportunities for Nigerian tourism operators and help raise Nigeria’s presence in global tourism markets.

Implications for the tourism sector in Nigeria

The engagement with the Turkish Embassy and strategic partnership with NTT Global Destinations is just the beginning of a broader effort to transform Nigeria’s tourism industry. The implications of this engagement are far-reaching and could lead to many positive outcomes for Nigeria:

• Increase in tourist arrivals: By strengthening relations with Türkiye, Nigeria hopes to attract more international tourists, especially from Europe and the Middle East. This may lead to increased visits to tourist attractions in Nigeria, boosting tourism revenues in the country.
• Investing in tourism infrastructure: The partnership with Türkiye could attract foreign direct investment in Nigeria’s tourism sector, leading to the development of new hotels, resorts and tourism facilities. This will not only improve the quality of services available to tourists, but will also create employment opportunities for Nigerians.
• Promoting cultural exchange: Greater cultural exchange between Nigeria and Turkey would enhance mutual understanding and enrich the tourism experience for visitors. Nigeria’s unique cultural heritage, combined with Türkiye’s diverse cultural offerings, can create attractive tourism products that attract international travelers.
• Global recognition of Nigeria’s tourism industry: As FTAN continues to engage with international partners, Nigeria’s tourism industry is poised to gain greater recognition on the global stage. By positioning itself as a center for tourism diplomacy, Nigeria can attract more international attention, partnerships and investment.

Looking to the future: A bright future for tourism in Nigeria

A bright new era for Nigeria’s tourism industry begins with a visit to the Turkish Embassy. FTAN is committed to enhancing global cooperation, attracting investment and enhancing tourism infrastructure in Nigeria, all while fulfilling its clear mandate to drive transformation. Nigeria is well positioned to emerge as a major force in the global tourism industry by drawing inspiration from the achievements of Türkiye and other global tourism leaders.

Nigeria’s tourism industry appears to have a bright future as long as FTAN maintains its strategic partnerships with other diplomatic missions and international travel agencies. Nigeria is refocusing on infrastructure development, cultural exchange and sustainability in a bid to attract tourists from around the world. In the coming years, tourism will certainly play an important role in Nigeria’s economic development and foreign policy thanks to these initiatives.