In a bid to unlock Nigeria’s vast tourism potential and improve visitors’ first impressions, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have agreed to revive dedicated tourism information desks at major airports across the country.
The initiative was disclosed during a courtesy visit by the Director General of NTDA, Dr. Olayiwola Awakan, to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, at FAAN’s headquarters in Lagos.
Awakan described airports as the most critical entry point for international and domestic visitors, stressing that they play a central role in shaping the overall tourism experience.
“Tourism is about movement, and FAAN plays a huge role in that. For anyone coming into the country, airports are their first point of contact”, he said.
He noted that Nigeria is “sitting on a gold mine” of tourism opportunities across all regions, ranging from cultural heritage and natural attractions to eco-tourism and adventure destinations.
According to him, repositioning Nigeria as a world-class destination would require a strong blend of compelling storytelling, credible data, and seamless travel experiences.
A key focus of the meeting was Awakan’s call for the reintroduction of tourism information desks at airports. The desks, he explained, would provide arriving passengers with immediate access to travel guides, maps, attraction highlights, and local transport options to ease movement and enhance visitor confidence.
In her response, Kuku welcomed the renewed partnership, describing aviation and tourism as “naturally interconnected”. She commended Awakan for his longstanding support and assured FAAN’s full commitment to working closely with NTDA to improve passenger experience, upgrade airport infrastructure, and grow both domestic and international tourist arrivals.
The meeting concluded with the establishment of a joint committee to coordinate data sharing and oversee ongoing collaborative projects between the two agencies.
Stakeholders believe the renewed focus on airport-based tourism support will create a more welcoming arrival experience and help showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural and natural diversity from the moment visitors step into the country.