The President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Dr. Yinka Folami, has commended the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and its Director General, Dr. Ola Awakan, for Nigeria’s impressive outing at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026, held at ExCeL London from November 3 to 5. Nigeria returned to the world’s biggest travel trade show after missing last year’s edition and over a decade of inconsistent presence. Folami, represented in London by NANTA’s First Deputy President, Mustapha Mohammed, said Awakan “did not just take Nigeria to London, he took Nigeria back to the world,” describing the NTDA stand as a true national showcase with compelling storytelling, strategic partnerships and real visibility.
Folami said Nigeria’s participation, endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, enabled the country to present its tourism assets to a global audience, raise the profile of key destinations and open new market possibilities. He assured NTDA of NANTA’s continued support, stressing that government and private sector must work together to put Nigeria on the world map and market. “We handed over in 2024 because we believe the goal is not who owns Nigeria’s stand, but that Nigeria has a stand. And now that NTDA has taken up the baton with such excellence, NANTA will stand beside NTDA,” he said. He also specially appreciated Elizabeth Agbola, Founder and CEO of NTT Global Destinations, for working hand in hand with NTDA to birth Nigeria’s return.
Folami prayed that WTM would not be a one-off, but that Nigeria would be present every year at FITUR in Madrid, ITB in Berlin, Arabian Travel Market in Dubai and WTM in London with a bigger stand and bigger results, noting that “visibility is not vanity, visibility is business.” He called on FTAN, NATOP, ATPN, hoteliers, tour operators, airlines and state tourism boards to support government efforts and compete on who serves Nigeria better. Thanking NANTA members, BOT Chairman Alhaji Aminu Agoha, BOT Member Alhaji Kabir Maiwada and other stakeholders, he declared: “Nigeria is back. And by the grace of God, Nigeria is here to stay.”
