The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr Olayiwola Awakan, has advocated the importance of using film and storytelling channels to promote and boost Nigerian tourism on the global stage.

As part of this effort, Awakan has embarked on meaningful engagements with key players across the creative industry.

To this end, he recently had engagements with the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr Shaibu Husseini, filmmaker and music producer Abdul- rasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skillz, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr Ali Nuhu.

Discussions focused on how film, music and other creative content can be used to present a more authentic image of Nigeria and attract both local and international visitors.

“Storytelling is what we want to use to put a new face to tourism,” said Awakan. “Nigeria is a microcosm of stories, and we need to tell them ourselves,” he added.

According to him, the new initiative would involve working with filmmakers, screenwriters and other creatives, while strengthening collaboration across institutions within the sector.

“There is no better way to bring people to a destination than through stories they can connect with,” he said. JJC Skillz said he is open to supporting efforts to promote Nigeria through creative content, while Husseini highlighted the role of film in opening up Nigeria’s tourism potential.