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NTDA and LEXLUC have signed an MoU to promote domestic tourism through the Meet My Town, Know My State initiative.
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The agreement provides for tourism packages, destination awareness, sponsorship and stakeholder engagement.
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A proposed West African Jollof Rice Championship and Tourism Festival was mentioned, but remains subject to planning and approvals.
October 23, (THEWILL) – 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 the Meet My Town, Know My State initiative, which seeks to encourage Nigerians to explore destinations within the country and learn more about their cultural heritage.
Under the agreement, LEXLUC will coordinate approved activities, develop tourism packages and mobilise sponsorship, while NTDA will provide tourism information, institutional coordination and support for stakeholder engagement within its mandate.
Speaking at the signing in Abuja on Wednesday, October 21, LEXLUC Chief Executive Officer, Oluwole Ajayi, said the initiative was designed to harness Nigeria’s tourism potential, attract investment and create opportunities across the sector.
“Tourism is the 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 mentioned a proposed West African Jollof Rice Championship and Tourism Festival as a possible addition to future tourism activities, subject to planning and the necessary approvals.
NTDA Director-General, Ola Awakan, said the partnership aligned with the authority’s mandate to promote tourism development and highlighted the importance of private-sector participation in growing the industry.
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Awakan described the initiative as worthwhile and pledged the authority’s institutional support, while noting that the collaboration would help advance both organisations’ objectives.
The Meet My Town, Know My State initiative is expected to promote domestic travel through organised tours, tourism education, awareness campaigns, events and stakeholder engagement.
The MoU was coordinated by NTDA Head of Legal Services, Olufunke Soleye, and LEXLUC Head of Legal, Mary Oluwatoyin Noibi-Edoze. NTDA Director of Marketing and Promotions, Olufemi Akinyele, and other departmental staff also attended the signing.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation, with the extent of implementation dependent on approved activities and the participation of relevant stakeholders.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
