The President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Dr. Aliyu Badaki, has called for stronger collaboration between government and private sector operators to unlock the vast tourism potential of Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways, as the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the sector through policy, regulation and strategic partnerships.
Dr. Badaki made the call at the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Boat Operators, Water Transporters and Tourism (ATBOWATON) held in Abuja.
He stressed that unity among operators remains essential to building a vibrant and competitive water tourism industry.
Describing ATBOWATON as one of FTAN’s strongest member associations,
Dr. Badaki commended its consistent support for the federation and its contributions to promoting water transportation and tourism across the country.
He urged members to resolve internal disagreements amicably, warning that divisions could weaken the association’s capacity to influence policy, attract investment and achieve sustainable growth.
“Unity is the foundation of every successful association. Every organisation has challenges, but what matters is how those challenges are resolved. If we remain united, we will continue to make progress,” he said.
The FTAN President also highlighted the enormous but underutilised tourism potential of Nigeria’s waterways, noting that improved infrastructure, stronger partnerships and increased investment could transform inland and coastal transportation into major drivers of tourism and economic growth.
Drawing from international experience, he said countries with well-developed waterways have demonstrated how water transportation can reduce travel time, lower transport costs and create new tourism opportunities while stimulating local economies.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Ola Awakan, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working closely with private sector operators to develop coastal tourism as part of efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy.
Awakan said the NTDA would continue to provide the enabling regulatory environment and policy support required to strengthen tourism businesses and increase the sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He described Nigeria’s waterways as one of the country’s most valuable yet underdeveloped tourism assets and called for greater collaboration to promote the nation’s natural attractions.
“We have to showcase the beauty of Nigeria, promote our destinations and amplify the enormous tourism opportunities our waterways offer.
“We cannot achieve this without collaboration with stakeholders,” he said.
The NTDA Director-General also stressed that safety must remain the highest priority in water transportation and coastal tourism, insisting that operators who fail to comply with established safety standards should face appropriate sanctions.
He further proposed closer collaboration with industry stakeholders on initiatives such as a National Coastal Tourism Festival to showcase Nigeria’s water tourism potential to domestic and international visitors.
FTAN and the NTDA agreed that stronger partnerships, effective regulation, improved safety standards and sustained investment would be critical to positioning Nigeria as a leading coastal and water tourism destination in Africa.
