The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Edo State to develop and fully harness the state’s rich tourism assets as part of broader efforts to diversify the economy and strengthen Nigeria’s global cultural image.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority, Ola Awakan, made the assurance during a tourism summit, exhibition, and fashion event held in Benin City, where stakeholders gathered to explore investment opportunities in the sector.
Awakan stressed that Edo State’s cultural heritage—including festivals, arts, crafts, historical landmarks, and traditional institutions—remained significantly underutilised and required coordinated investment and stronger partnerships between government agencies, private investors, and local communities.
He explained that sustainable tourism growth cannot be achieved in isolation, noting that collaboration is essential to transform existing tourism assets into measurable economic gains such as job creation, increased revenue generation, and improved foreign exchange inflows.
Stakeholders at the summit also called for increased adoption of digital tools and innovation to enhance the visibility of tourism sites, improve marketing strategies, and attract both domestic and international visitors to the state.
In her remarks, the Director-General of the Edo State Tourism Agency, Vivian Elabor, said the summit brought together investors, cultural ambassadors, and development partners with a shared goal of repositioning Edo as a leading tourism and investment destination in Nigeria.
She highlighted that Edo State possesses a strong foundation for tourism growth, citing its historical heritage, globally recognised arts, colourful festivals, and unique ecological attractions, all of which could significantly boost the state’s economy if properly developed.
Elabor also commended the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo for supporting tourism development under its broader economic diversification agenda, while urging investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the sector.
Adding to the discussion, the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor, emphasised the need to digitise and properly document tourism assets to increase their visibility and economic value.
He further encouraged residents to serve as tourism ambassadors by promoting the state’s cultural identity and heritage sites, noting that community participation would play a key role in attracting more visitors and strengthening the tourism industry.
Overall, the initiative reflected a wider national strategy to reduce dependence on oil revenue by positioning tourism as a major driver of economic growth, employment, and international engagement.
