.. To unveil secretariat
The Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), the foremost professional body representing tour operators and tourism practitioners in Nigeria is set to chart a strategic course for the future of tourism development in Nigeria at its 10th Annual General Meeting, AGM in Lagos.
The Annual General Meeting marks a significant milestone in the association’s journey of service, growth, and contribution to Nigeria’s tourism industry.
The 10th anniversary celebration will also feature the unveilling of its first secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking during the AGM Press Conference in Lagos on Thursday, the President of NATOP, Hajia Bolaji Mustapha disclosed that the AGM will bring together tour operators, travel professionals, government agencies, tourism investors, hospitality stakeholders, development partners, and industry experts from across Nigeria and beyond.
Hajia Mustapha noted that the event will provide an opportunity to review the association’s achievements, discuss emerging opportunities, challenges in the tourism sector, strengthen professional networks, and chart a strategic course for the future of tourism development in Nigeria.
She explained that NATOP’s AGMs have historically served as important platforms for policy discussions, destination promotion, industry advocacy, and professional collaboration.
NATOP President stated that the 10th Anniversary will celebrate a decade of impactful AGMs and industry leadership, Promote collaboration among tourism stakeholders, advocate for policies that support tourism growth and investment, showcase Nigeria’s tourism assets and destinations, empower tourism entrepreneurs through knowledge sharing and networking.
She maintained that the AGM is also expected to strengthen the role of tour operators in national economic development and encourage sustainable and responsible tourism practices.
NATOP President said the 10th Anniversary AGM is expected to further strengthen NATOP’s position as a leading voice in Nigeria’s tourism industry while fostering partnerships that will drive innovation, investment, job creation, and sustainable tourism development nationwide.
In her words: “As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the NATOP Annual General Meeting, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting tourism as a catalyst for economic growth, cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and national development. Together, we will continue to showcase Nigeria’s rich tourism potential to the world and build a stronger, more resilient tourism industry for future generations.”
She noted that the AGM was supposed to happen somewhere else as the body rotate its AGM to different destinations because it believe that as Nigerians, they are supposed to know Nigeria.
Last three years or so, we were in Kwara. We went to Jos, we went to Uyo, Ekiti and Ondo.
We’re supposed to do Enugu this year.
Enugu State is developing some of their tourism sites. But we don’t just only visit any state. We visit only states who have tourism potential and who value what their potential are and are ready to project it out to the world, Mustapha said.
She explained the reasons for bringing the AGM back to Lagos this year.
She disclosed further that the activities lined up for the event will start with the opening of its Secretariat on the 8th of July in Lagos, followed by a cocktail in the evening at Provida Hotel, Ikeja, a city tour, cruising along the waterways, a close retreat, a Gulf Tournament Ikoyi Club.
Speaking also, Mrs Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, Permanent Sectetary Lagos State Ministry of Tourism who represented Mrs Toke Benson, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism thanked NATOP for bringing their AGM to Lagos.
Oyekan -Ismaila stated further that Lagos State Government led by Mr. Babajide Sanwolu, and his team has a special pillar for tourism, for entertainment amongst the pillars of government.
She noted that Lagos has entertainment and tourism as major focus of government policy in the state which is
driven by 12 sectors, including culture and everything, film development, entertainment, meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, beach and leisure, nature and adventure, medical and wellness.
She added that: “These are some of the subsets of what we promote in the Ministry. It is what people come from all over the world to come and meet with us to experience the spirit of Lagos, to experience the hospitality of Nigeria, to experience our culture, our sights, our people, our food, everything that we own there”.
The Pamanent Secretary stated that the State believe in NATOP and in what they are doing.
According to her: “We appreciate the effort, the sleepless nights that you put into promoting tourism, into promoting our culture, into promoting our sights, into promoting our food, promoting our mode of dressing. Everything that we represent as Nigerians, as Lagosians, we are very happy to be associated with you”.
She enjoined NATOP members to go out there and continue to promote tourism, continue to promote the state’s arts, culture, promote nature so that more people can come to Lagos.
