When Nigeria returned to the World Travel Market (WTM) London, the biggest travel trade show on earth, after missing last year’s edition and after over a decade of inconsistent presence, the world did not just see a stand. The world saw a nation that had decided to come back. And behind that comeback was a man, a team, and a partnership that must be celebrated.
That is why 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 putting together an impressive outing for Nigeria at the just concluded WTM London 2026, held at ExCeL London from November 3 to 5, 2026.
Speaking on behalf of NANTA, the umbrella body for travel agencies in Nigeria, Dr. Folami said the NTDA’s outing was not just impressive, it was historic, it was dignified, it was Nigeria at its best.
Dr. Folami, who was represented in London by NANTA’s First Deputy President, Mustapha Mohammed, leading a high-powered NANTA delegation, with NANTA as the only association with a dedicated presence at the NTDA stand at WTM London, said he watched with pride as NTDA led Nigeria’s participation, with the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had commended Awakan for his immersive storytelling, collaboration and innovation in his first year in office.
In his words: “On behalf of NANTA, I want to commend the Director General of NTDA, Dr. Ola Awakan, for putting together an impressive outing for Nigeria at WTM London. He did not just take Nigeria to London, he took Nigeria back to the world. After years of absence, after years of invisibility, Nigeria was seen, Nigeria was heard, Nigeria was engaged. The NTDA stand was a true national showcase. The storytelling was compelling. The partnerships were strategic. The visibility was real. This is what leadership looks like. This is what commitment looks like. And NANTA is proud to have stood side by side with NTDA in London.”
Dr. Folami noted that Nigeria’s participation at WTM 2026 enabled the country to present its tourism assets to a global audience, raising the profile of key destinations and products while opening new market possibilities, advancing collaboration, innovation and storytelling in promoting Nigeria’s tourism potential.
The NANTA President was emphatic: NANTA’s support for NTDA is not a one-off, it is a commitment.
“I want to assure Dr. Awakan and the entire NTDA that NANTA under my leadership will continue to support his leadership of NTDA. We will always partner with NTDA and other government tourism agencies to harness, develop, grow and market Nigerian tourism assets and destinations. That is our mandate. That is our promise. Government cannot do it alone. Private sector cannot do it alone. But together, government and private sector can put Nigeria where she belongs – on the world map, and on the world 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 – wherever Nigeria needs us, we will be there.”
In a special tribute, Dr. Folami appreciated Elizabeth Agbola, Founder and CEO of NTT Global Destinations, who worked hand in hand with NTDA to birth the return of Nigeria to the global tourism trade event.
“I want to specially appreciate our sister, Elizabeth Agbola, who worked hand in hand with Dr. Awakan to birth this return. Behind every successful outing, there are silent workers, there are bridge builders, there are people who make calls, and who encourage support for greater good. Elizabeth is one of them.
Dr. Folami prayed for greater visibility for Nigeria in international tourism expositions across the world.
“My prayer is that this WTM will not be a one-off. My prayer is that Nigeria will be at FITUR in Madrid, at ITB in Berlin, at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, at WTM in London, every year, with a bigger stand, with a bigger story, with bigger results. Visibility is not vanity. Visibility is business. If you are not seen, you are not sold. And Nigeria must be seen. Nigeria must be sold. May God give NTDA, NANTA, and all of us, the grace to sustain this momentum.”
The NANTA President also called on other players and associations to support government efforts to promote tourism in Nigeria.
“I am calling on all other players, all other associations – FTAN, NATOP, ATPN, hoteliers, tour operators, airlines, state tourism boards – let us support government efforts to promote tourism in Nigeria. Let us stop grumbling. Let us stop competing for who owns Nigeria. Let us compete for who serves Nigeria better. Government has done its part at WTM. Now we must do our part. Let us bring our products, let us bring our packages, let us bring our investments, and let us make Nigeria the destination of choice in Africa.”
Finally, Dr. Folami commended NANTA members and all stakeholders who came out in numbers to support NTDA and Nigeria’s return to WTM.
“To our NANTA members who travelled to London, who committed financial support to NANTA, who paid their way, who manned our stand, who marketed Nigeria with passion, I say thank you. To our NANTA BOT Chairman Alhaji Aminu Agoha, supported by BOT Member Alhaji Kabir Maiwada, who visibly graced the event with their support and presence, I say thank you, and To all stakeholders, FTAN, NATOP, AITEC World, the media, the diaspora community in the UK who stormed our pavilion, I say thank you. You came out in numbers to support NTDA and Nigeria’s return to WTM. You proved that when Nigeria calls, her children answer. This victory belongs to all of us.”
Dr. Folami concluded with a message of hope:
“Nigeria is back. And by the grace of God, Nigeria is here to stay. NANTA will always partner with NTDA. NANTA will always put Nigeria first. That is not just our slogan. That is our legacy.”