NATOP marks decade of growth with new Lagos secretariat and landmark 10th Annual General Meeting
Nigeria's organised tour operating sector is gearing up for a defining moment as the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) prepares to inaugurate its first-ever national secretariat and host its 10th Annual General Meeting from 8 to 10 July in Lagos. The landmark gathering will draw together a wide spectrum of industry stakeholders to chart practical strategies for unlocking Nigeria's vast tourism potential, while celebrating ten years of dedicated advocacy and sector development.
Speaking ahead of the event in Lagos, NATOP President Hajia Bolaji Mustapha described the anniversary gathering as a major milestone in the association's decade-long journey of championing tourism growth across Nigeria. She explained that Lagos was carefully selected as host city in recognition of its strategic standing as Nigeria's commercial and tourism nerve centre, and for its consistent support for the broader tourism sector. The state's vibrant cultural scene, business dynamism and entertainment ecosystem make it a natural meeting point for those serious about shaping the future of Nigerian travel.
According to Hajia Mustapha, the three-day programme will feature the formal commissioning of the association's permanent secretariat, alongside a high-level conference, dedicated business sessions and a series of curated tourism activities. The events are designed to strengthen collaboration among operators, attract fresh investment into the sector and position Nigeria more competitively as a preferred destination on the global stage. For an industry that has long operated without a fixed institutional base, the establishment of a permanent secretariat is an unmistakable signal of maturity, ambition and forward thinking.
Representing the Lagos State Government, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, reaffirmed the state's unwavering commitment to tourism development, describing Lagos as Nigeria's tourism capital. She called on stakeholders to actively safeguard the environment and protect the country's rich cultural heritage, stressing that responsible tourism remains a powerful driver of economic growth, employment creation and overall national development. Her remarks reflect a wider continental conversation about ensuring tourism growth is sustainable, inclusive and built to deliver long-term value to host communities.
Adding to the momentum, Chairman of the AGM Planning Committee, Mrs. Joy Alexander-Oziegbe, noted that the gathering would serve as a strategic platform to showcase Nigeria's tourism opportunities to both domestic and international audiences. She emphasised that one of the key ambitions of the event is to help shift lingering negative perceptions about the country, presenting instead a confident, hospitable and richly diverse Nigeria that is ready to welcome visitors. Project Manager of the new secretariat, Mr. Uche Chinonso, underlined that the permanent office will boost the association's operational efficiency, deepen collaboration among its members and provide a lasting institutional identity for NATOP in the years ahead.
For the wider sub-Saharan African travel trade, the developments at NATOP offer valuable reference points. As one of the continent's most populous and economically influential nations, Nigeria has long been viewed as a sleeping giant in tourism. Yet challenges around perception, security narratives and infrastructure have historically limited its ability to capture a fair share of international visitor flows. The creation of a permanent industry secretariat, combined with a structured annual platform for stakeholder engagement, suggests that Nigerian operators are now far better positioned to coordinate advocacy, engage policymakers and pursue cross-border partnerships with peers in West, East and Southern Africa.
The timing of the AGM also aligns with a broader continental push to strengthen intra-African tourism, leverage cultural diplomacy and grow the creative economy as a meaningful contributor to GDP. Tour operators across Africa will be watching closely, particularly those exploring outbound or inbound packages connecting Nigeria with destinations such as Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Rwanda. Stronger institutional structures within NATOP could open the door to more reliable partnership frameworks, joint marketing campaigns and shared training initiatives.
As the Lagos event approaches, the message from NATOP is clear. Nigeria's tour operators are no longer content to wait at the margins of global tourism conversations. With a new secretariat, a renewed sense of purpose and a coordinated industry voice, they are stepping confidently into the next decade, ready to engage, invest and build the destinations of the future.
