The Federal Government of Nigeria and Emirates Airline have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at driving international tourism to Nigeria. The agreement, formalised during the 2025 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, represents a strategic move to position Nigeria as a top holiday destination in Africa.
Under the MoU, Emirates will leverage its global network of over 140 destinations to promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage, vibrant cities, and natural attractions — from coastal beaches to expansive wetlands — to a global audience. The partnership also includes the development of programmes for trade partners, tour operators, and hoteliers, featuring incentives, familiarisation trips, and joint marketing efforts.
The MoU was signed by Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Centre, and Abiola Abdulkareem, Special Assistant to Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa. The signing was witnessed by senior government officials and top executives from Emirates, including Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim.
Kazim said the deal reflects Emirates’ commitment to deepening ties with Nigeria and promoting its tourism potential. “Since resuming operations in Lagos in October 2024, we’ve prioritised partnerships that support Nigeria’s aviation, tourism, and trade sectors. This agreement is a step forward in bringing the world to experience Nigeria’s rich culture, natural beauty, and unmatched hospitality.”
Minister Musawa described the partnership as a pivotal step toward delivering on Nigeria’s Destination 2030 Soft Power Initiative. “This collaboration with Emirates is more than a tourism agreement — it’s an opportunity to empower communities, spur economic growth, and project Nigeria’s unique cultural identity to the world.”
The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) will lead the implementation of the partnership, further supported by the recent interline agreement between Emirates and Air Peace. The agreement allows seamless travel from Dubai to 13 Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Benin, and Calabar, making Nigeria more accessible to global travellers.
