Nigeria’s Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, has underscored the prospects of the sector she oversees, stressing that it could generate employment opportunities and enhance economic diversification.

She spoke  at the tourism parliament, held in Continental Hotel, Abuja, themed: “Tourism as a Catalyst for Job Creation and Economic Diversification, a Call to Action for Nigerian Governors.”

So, all we can actually do as the ministry is to support the states to make sure that these assets are well taken care of and well managed,”  the minister added.

She urged collective efforts to invest in infrastructure, create an enabling environment for businesses, and promote Nigeria’s unique selling points to position the country as a world-class tourism destination.

“I call on everyone to ask people, let us know how to unlock potential for our great nation. I am someone who is willing and is a listener. I assure everyone here that I am open to listening and collaborating with stakeholders to unlock Nigeria’s tourism potential,” she added.

The event convener, Ayo Omotosho, speaking during an interview with the press highlighted the essence of the event.

He stated: “Essentially, today’s event is to use media to project tourism positively. And also to discuss various issues surrounding tourism development in Nigeria. And this is not the first of its kind.

“We’ve been doing that in Lagos. But we are having it for the first time in the city of Abuja. And so everybody is happy, you can see stakeholders, they have endorsed it. They are willing to identify with a brand new event, which is Destination Nigeria Government Tourism Conference (DNGTC).