By Eberechi Obinagwam
The Lagos State Government has urged tourism stakeholders to take greater responsibility for protecting and promoting the state’s environment, cultural heritage, arts and tourism assets as a means of attracting more visitors and boosting economic growth.
Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, stated this during the 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) on Thursday in Lagos.
Bopo said tourism practitioners, cultural promoters and residents must work collectively to preserve the resources that make Lagos and Nigeria attractive destinations.
”We are actually all tourists and we must protect our environment, protect our culture, protect our heritage, what we hold dear,” she said.
According to her, tourism thrives when communities value and showcase their unique cultural assets, traditions, food, arts and natural attractions.
”If we don’t pay attention to them and promote them and let people know that we appreciate what we have, that is when people will also take us seriously,” she said.
Bopo described Lagos as Nigeria’s tourism capital, noting that the state government had prioritised tourism and entertainment under the Sanwo-Olu administration’s development agenda.
She said Lagos remained a major hub for culture, entertainment, meetings, conferences, exhibitions, beach tourism, leisure, wellness and adventure tourism.
Oyekan-Ismaila commended NATOP for its role in promoting destinations across the country and showcasing Nigeria’s tourism offerings locally and internationally.
Earlier, NATOP President, Bolaji Mustapha, said the association chose Lagos as the host of its landmark 10th AGM after receiving strong support from the state government for tourism development initiatives.
Mustapha explained that although the AGM was initially planned for Enugu State, the association decided to return to Lagos in recognition of the state’s consistent partnership in destination promotion and industry development.
She recalled the Lagos State Government’s support for World Tourism Day activities, community engagement projects at Takwa Bay, tourism capacity-building programmes and international tourism exhibitions.
”They have supported us enough. Let’s come back to Lagos.
”At least before this term ends, let’s promote Nigeria again, at least through Lagos State. Let them be our major host for this year,” she said.
The NATOP president said the AGM, scheduled for July 8 to July 12, 2026, would be held under the theme, ‘Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential: Strengthening Tour Operators for Sustainable Destination Development.’
According to Mustapha, the conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to promote domestic tourism, strengthen industry partnerships, advocate supportive policies and showcase Nigeria’s tourism potential as a driver of economic growth, investment and job creation.
The highlights of the AGM would include the inauguration of NATOP’s national secretariat, a cocktail reception, conference sessions, a Lagos city and waterways tour, a members’ business retreat, a golf tournament and a gala dinner.
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