WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 Set to Propel Tourism-Led Economic Growth in Nigeria

By Iyojo Ameh

As part of renewed efforts to harness tourism as a catalyst for national economic growth, the WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 is set to debut in Abuja from July 23 to 24. The landmark event aims to set a national agenda that will drive strategic partnerships and investments across the tourism value chain.

Organized by WelcomeToNigeria under the leadership of Mr. Isah Yusuf Sago who doubles as the National Coordinator of the WelcomeToNigeria Project and President of WelcomeToNigeria Limited the expo will bring together key players from the public and private sectors to explore opportunities in the tourism, cultural, and creative economy sectors.

According to Sago, the event, themed “National Agenda on Tourism Partnership, Infrastructural Development, Institutional Linkages, Growth and Sustainable Development,” is not just an event but a “national call to action.”

“This pivotal two-day gathering will feature technical sessions, a business forum, and exhibitions, and will convene stakeholders from federal and state ministries, tourism boards, international development partners, cultural institutions, and community leaders,” he said.

The expo is backed by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, as well as major institutions including the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), and the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), among other key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Sago emphasized the expo’s central aim: to catalyze policy synergy and institutional collaboration that position tourism as a vital component of Nigeria’s economic development strategy.

“Unlocking the immense potential of Nigeria’s tourism sector requires deliberate partnerships between government and private investors, federal and state institutions, and communities and corporations,” he noted. “WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 provides the platform to craft these partnerships, with government leadership setting the tone for innovation and investment.”

A major highlight of the expo will be the celebration of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and creative economy, which Sago described as critical to shaping the country’s global identity and soft power.

Curated exhibitions, live performances, culinary showcases, and panel discussions will spotlight the creative industry’s role in promoting “The Nigerian Experience” and stimulating economic activity. The event will also offer tourism investors and media professionals firsthand exposure to Nigeria’s diverse cultural assets.

The expo is expected to explore critical areas for investment and innovation, including:

Wildlife Conservation and Marine/Blue Economy aimed at protecting biodiversity and attracting eco-tourists, Transportation and Aviation to enhance accessibility and connectivity across the country, Digital Communication and Data Infrastructure for smart tourism visibility and secure booking systems and Security Architecture to provide safe experiences for both local and international tourists.
Also, Economic Zones and Trade Negotiations to attract investors into tourism clusters and hospitality services, community-based tourism to engage rural communities as active participants and economic beneficiaries.

Sago concluded with a rallying call: “Now is the time for Nigeria to fully embrace tourism as a strategic sector for national growth not in theory, but in practice. The Expo will chart the course, galvanise partnerships, and ignite a new era of prosperity driven by tourism. Let the journey begin. Welcome to Nigeria.”