In 2019 the former Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed called for the activation of the MOU to boost tourism between between Nigeria and china.
The MOU aims to facilitate group travel for Chinese tourists to Nigeria and grant Nigeria Approved Destination Status (ADS). Mohammed highlighted the potential benefits of such a partnership, noting that even a small percentage of China’s vast tourist market could significantly boost Nigeria’s tourism industry. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on tourism development signed in 2019 remains inactive.
In that same meeting Ambassador Chui Jian Chun responded by emphasizing China’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria and expressed support for the proposed tourism initiatives.
Now coming to 2024 With the new MOU signed by Mr president in China where I also witnessed during Mr presidents visit to china the New FOCAC platform will foster deeper cooperation for China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2025-27), which highlights people-to-people exchanges in terms of culture, tourism, and sports.
The plan aims to increase engagement and cooperation in areas such as education, science and technology, health, tourism, and media, strengthen cultural exchanges, and enhance people-to-people ties.
The MOU and other belt and road programs are aimed to promote sustainable tourism development in Nigeria to grow Nigerian tourism sector into a global Tourism space using the Chinese model.
On this note Tourism Volunteers Network has chosen to follow up on the specific details of this MOU to see how it can be achieved in this administration for the growth of the industry and stakeholders.
Speaking here in China Global Tourism Promoter and Nigerias National Park Ambassador Phil Roberts said he is already in talks with the chinese for proper monitoring of the process as they will work together with other organisations to monitor the frame works used in achiving the MOU as this will bring a breathe of Fresh air to the tourism industry in Nigeria