The Bauchi State Tourism delegation, led by Consultant for the Bauchi Investment Summit, Hajiya Ladi Katagum, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Alausa, Ikeja, to explore collaboration opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Welcoming the delegation, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said Lagos considers tourism a key driver of economic diversification. She explained that the state government has integrated cultural promotion, festivals, private sector partnerships, and destination branding into its development strategy.
“Tourism is not just leisure; it is a serious economic driver. Lagos State has invested over ₦8.6 billion in sponsorships and collaborations with private stakeholders to promote the sector. From the Lagos Boat Regatta to our music and film festivals, we continue to create platforms that empower creatives and attract global attention. Our goal is to position Lagos as Africa’s premier tourism destination while fostering partnerships that grow the sector nationally,” she stated.
Highlighting Bauchi’s growing tourism profile, Prof. S. I. Galoji, Consultant to the Bauchi State Government on Economic and Investment Matters, described Bauchi as the gateway to the Northeast and a hub for both tourism and investment.
“Every traveller into the six northeastern states passes through Bauchi. We now have over 15 top-class hotels, with 11 undergoing expansion, alongside ecotourism hubs and five national parks, including the iconic Yankari Game Reserve. With 17 dominant languages and a rich cultural heritage, Bauchi is ready to partner with Lagos and other stakeholders to tell a compelling story about Nigerian tourism,” Prof. Galoji said.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board and CEO, Mrs. Bukola Agbaminoja, noted that Lagos leverages film and creative industries to project its image globally.
Similarly, the Director of Hotel Licensing, Mr. Sheriff Hassan, stressed the importance of regulation in building trust within the hospitality sector. He said effective regulation ensures safety, quality service delivery, and investor confidence.
The Director of Tourism Promotion, Mr. Olatunde Lawal, highlighted the Ministry’s strong stakeholder engagement as a driver of success, while the Director of Monument Management, Mr. Ladejobi Ibrahim, emphasised the state’s rich monuments and heritage assets spread across its five divisions.
Also present at the meeting was the Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment, Mr. Yakubu Ahmad, who commended Lagos for its pioneering role in tourism and creative enterprise.
He expressed Bauchi’s commitment to learning from Lagos’s achievements in destination branding and hospitality development.
The Lagos delegation confirmed its participation in the Bauchi State Tourism and Investment Summit, scheduled for October 8–9, 2025. The event is expected to serve as a platform to share knowledge, deepen partnerships, and reinforce Nigeria’s global tourism image.