COME AND SEE US
TBY talks to Sally Mbanefo, Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), on reaching out to the private sector to collaborate on building tourism in-country, the unique features Nigeria has to offer visitors, and promoting tourism to the domestic market.
BIOGRAPHY
Sally Mbanefo is a law graduate from the University of Lagos with 21 years in banking, two years in manufacturing, and three years in the oil and gas sectors, with a stint in private and social entrepreneurial practice at executive director levels in Coca-Cola Company and Lafarge Cement plc. She currently serves as the Director-General of the apex tourism development and regulatory organization in Nigeria, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).How could diverse sectors of the economy collaborate to develop the tourism offering?
Tourism is a private sector activity, but in Nigeria it has been deemed the sole responsibility of the public sector. Goals can be best achieved in collaboration, and so in our first year we have reached out to almost everyone in the expatriate community. Never before has a director general visited state governments to declare federal government support. Domestic tourism is about the local customs, festivals, and cultures that are unique to Nigerians, and unless you meet the traditional rulers—the kings and custodians of our culture and traditions—you cannot fully experience the culture of the people. You find that the traditional rulers are enlightened and educated people, who, despite living in America or Europe, are sooner or later recalled home to serve as kings and queens. They are particularly informed individuals and have a keen grip on what tourism means in Nigeria. And we are not just collaborating with the diplomatic community and traditional rulers, but also with the state governance arm so that we can market on their behalf. We are also partnering with the banks and oil companies to source financing. Furthermore, we collaborate with other government agencies that support us with capacity building, such as the National Planning Commission. These governmental agencies understand what tourism involves and respond positively when approached. We are also partnering with the Nigerian Football Federation because we believe that the youth are key to our strategy. Some 70% of the Nigerian population is aged below 35, with sport featuring prominently in their lives. We have signed MoUs with private sector international companies in Nigeria that want to promote tourism with us. We have also signed a MoU to collaborate with the transport industry. This is the tourism value chain. Ultimately, tourism is not an isolated activity, but a centrifugal force that impacts other sectors. We suffer from terrorism in one or two small areas, but Nigeria has an area of over 923,000 sqkm and 174 million people, and terrorism is not peculiar to Nigeria and the government has been very proactive in managing it.
The majority of tourists appear to be unaware of just what Nigeria has to offer. Why should people visit?
There is such a wide range of factors that make the country a special destination starting with the fantastic year-round sunny weather, a real pull for visitors from the US and Europe. In terms of the state, we are a democratic nation run by a transparent government that came into power through a fair election. Regarding tourist sites, the country is divided into six geopolitical zones, and I have made an effort to visit states in each. If you go to the southwest, for example, you come to Ondo State among beautiful hills and amazing golf courses. In addition to our sights, Nigeria offers a whole spectrum of amazing regional festivals that underline the unique culture of the country.
Could you talk about domestic tourism as a means of creating a national identity?
This is my favorite topic, because domestic tourism means encouraging people to vacation in their own country. One reason is that we want to empower people at the grassroots level. Secondly, of the 170 million Nigerians, only 10% can afford to travel abroad. If you inculcate the culture of domestic tourism, people do not have to go far from home. If we develop tourism in a community and jobs come with it. There are three types of tourism: inbound, domestic, and outbound. We are hoping that the 10% that travels abroad will have experienced domestic tourism, meaning they will effectively be marketing agents for Nigeria when abroad. The domestic tourism market in Nigeria has a potential of $4 billion, but we just need to keep creating awareness and encouraging people.
COME AND SEE US
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Inside Perspective
HE Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria
HE Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, and President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the potential of Nigeria's young population.
read articleInterview
Joseph I. Odumodu, Director General & Chief Executive, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
TBY talks to Joseph I. Odumodu, Director General & Chief Executive of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), on the organization's mandate, its agenda for consistent national benchmarks, and on collaboration with foreign firms.
read articleInterview
Tunde J. Afolabi, Chairman & CEO, Amni International Petroleum Development Co. Ltd.
TBY talks to Tunde J. Afolabi, Chairman & CEO of Amni International Petroleum Development Company Limited, on the increasing numbers of indigenous firms in operation, and offshore opportunities.
read articleInterview
Markus Droll, Vice-President Nigeria & Gabon, Shell Exploration and Production Africa Limited
TBY talks to Markus Droll, Vice-President Nigeria & Gabon of Shell Exploration and Production Africa Limited, on Nigeria's production capability, and the growth potential of the natural gas industry.
read articleInterview
Aminu Jalal, Director General National Automotive Council , Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment
TBY talks to Aminu Jalal, Director General of the National Automotive Council (Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment), on the new national automotive policy and encouraging more affordable financing.
read articleInterview
Dr. Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice-Chairman & CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
TBY talks to Dr. Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice-Chairman & CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on investment in the sector, the broadband services rollout, and support for indigenous companies.
read articleInterview
Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary & CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC)
TBY talks to Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary & CEO of the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC), on being the economic regulator for the shipping industry and increasing port efficiency to attract more maritime trade.
read articleInterview
Akon Etim Eyakenyi, Hon. Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria
TBY talks to Akon Etim Eyakenyi, Hon. Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, on meeting a growing demand for housing, engaging the private sector, and opportunities for foreign investment.
read articleInterview
Wolfgang Goetsch, Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc
TBY talks to Wolfgang Goetsch, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, on the contribution the company is making to Nigeria's infrastructure development and to local employment, as well as the challenge of constructing the new Second Niger Bridge.
read articleInterview
Hugh Glyn-Jones, Managing Director Agro Allied Division, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc.
TBY talks to Hugh Glyn-Jones, Managing Director Agro Allied Division Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc., on food production, backward integration along the value chain, and Nigeria's Agriculture Transformation Agenda.
read articleInterview
Prince Emmanuel I. Ajayi D.Sc (hons), CEO & Managing Director, Swiss Biostadt Limited
TBY talks to Prince Emmanuel I. Ajayi D.Sc (hons), CEO & Managing Director of Swiss Biostadt Limited, on improving agricultural technology, increasing access to advanced medical treatment, and partnering with foreign investors.
read articleInterview
Sally Mbanefo, Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC)
TBY talks to Sally Mbanefo, Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), on reaching out to the private sector to collaborate on building tourism in-country, the unique features Nigeria has to offer visitors, and promoting tourism to the domestic market.
read articleInterview
Theophilus Ifeanyichukwu Emuwa, Chair of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group, ǼLEX
TBY talks to Theophilus Ifeanyichukwu Emuwa, Chair of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group of ǼLEX on keeping pace with the legal universe to best serve clients and the new commercial landscape.
read article
