In a major move to boost tourism, Emirates airline and the Federal Government of Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to attract more international visitors to the country. The agreement was signed at the 2025 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.
The deal was sealed between Emirates and Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy. It aims to promote Nigeria as a top travel destination by showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty to travellers across Emirates’ global network, which covers over 140 destinations.
The MoU will support Nigeria’s tourism roadmap and the government’s “Destination 2030” initiative — a plan backed by President Bola Tinubu to position Nigeria as a leading cultural and creative hub in Africa.
As part of the deal, Emirates will help promote inbound tourism from key global markets. It will also work with Nigerian tourism stakeholders — including tour operators, hoteliers, and travel agents — to create awareness campaigns, familiarisation trips, and incentive packages.
The signing ceremony featured top officials, including Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, and Emirates executives such as Adil Al Ghaith and Adnan Kazim.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said the partnership reflects the airline’s strong commitment to Nigeria: “We want to connect global travellers with Nigeria’s unique attractions — from its vibrant cities to natural wonders and warm hospitality.”
Minister Musawa described the agreement as “a turning point” for the Nigerian tourism sector, stating that the partnership will empower communities, grow the economy, and open Nigeria to more global visitors.
This partnership is further strengthened by a recent interline agreement between Emirates and Nigerian carrier Air Peace, allowing passengers to connect seamlessly from Dubai to 13 Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Benin, and Calabar.
With increased airline connectivity and renewed investment in tourism infrastructure, Nigeria is now positioning itself as a major travel destination in Africa.
