Stakeholders Seek AI, Digital Tech to Transform Nigeria’s Tourism Sector
By Salami Abdulrahaman | Pan Afric Reporters
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s tourism industry have called for the accelerated adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technology to transform the sector, attract investment, create jobs and enhance visitor experiences.
The call was made at the 2026 World Tourism Day celebration held in Abuja with the theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
Representing the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Ibrahim Ozi Abdulkarim, said AI was already reshaping global tourism and presented Nigeria with an opportunity to improve destination management and drive economic growth.
He said Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, festivals and creative industries could gain greater global visibility through digital platforms and innovative technologies.
Abdulkarim called for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, technology companies, academia and local communities to build a smarter, more inclusive and sustainable tourism ecosystem.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Ola Awakan, said tourism should be positioned as a major driver of economic development.
Awakan urged young people and students to consider tourism as a first-class profession with vast opportunities, adding that the Authority was committed to promoting a digitally enabled, investment-ready and sustainable tourism sector.
He stressed that the deployment of technology must protect cultural authenticity, safeguard visitor data and empower host communities.
Also speaking, the President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Dr. Badaki Aliyu, said technology was no longer merely a support tool but a major force shaping how people live, interact and conduct business.
Aliyu advocated a deliberate national digitalisation agenda to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), startups, cybersecurity and the responsible adoption of AI.
He urged Nigeria to move beyond being a consumer of technology to becoming a creator and driver of innovation through stronger collaboration among government, the private sector and innovators.
The stakeholders urged federal, state and local governments, investors, development partners and tourism operators to translate digital transformation plans into practical actions that would create opportunities for young people and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.
