By Onyeka Ezike
The Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), in partnership with the Lagos State Government, is set to commission its newly constructed ultra-modern secretariat as part of activities marking its 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM). The new facility, located in Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos, will serve as the association’s national headquarters and provide members with office space, meeting facilities, and content creation studios. The secretariat will be officially inaugurated during the association’s AGM scheduled for July 2026.
NATOP is Nigeria’s foremost professional body representing tour operators and tourism practitioners. Established to promote and develop tourism in the country, the association provides a platform for advocacy, capacity building, destination marketing, industry collaboration, and the advancement of sustainable tourism practices. Over the years, NATOP has played a significant role in promoting domestic tourism, supporting tourism entrepreneurs, and positioning Nigeria as a competitive tourism destination.
Speaking on Villa Square, a special segment of Cr8tive Naija, a weekly tourism and cultural magazine programme hosted by veteran tourism journalist Frank Meke and Bunmi Bade-Adeniji on Mainland 98.3 FM, Lagos, NATOP President, Hajia Bolaji Mustapha, explained why Lagos was selected as the host state for the association’s 10th AGM.
“We rotate our AGM annually across destinations with tourism potential and viable markets that members can promote. This year, we chose Lagos because it remains one of Nigeria’s most vibrant tourism destinations, attracting visitors from across the country and beyond. Our focus is to showcase Lagos’ waterways tourism. Considering that this year’s AGM is elective, security was also an important factor, and Lagos offers both safety and immense tourism potential,” she said.
The 2026 AGM, which coincides with NATOP’s 10th anniversary, will commence on July 8 with the commissioning of the association’s first-ever secretariat, followed by an evening cocktail reception in Providha hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
On July 9, NATOP members will hold the Annual General Meeting, while July 10 has been designated for a city tour of Lagos Waterways. A business retreat exclusively for NATOP members will take place on July 11 to facilitate networking and strengthen collaboration among members. The event will culminate on July 12 with a grand gala night at Ikoyi Golf Club.
The Chairman of the AGM Planning Committee, Joy Alexander Oziogbe, said this year’s edition would be unique, given Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s leading tourism destination.
According to her, the AGM will address critical issues affecting tour operators and further reinforce NATOP members’ commitment to promoting Destination Nigeria. “The programme will showcase the numerous tourism opportunities available across the country. Special attention will also be given to security concerns, which remain a major issue for industry players, and strategies for addressing them,” she said.
Oziogbe noted that despite concerns about outbound travel, Nigeria continues to attract international visitors eager to explore its tourism offerings. “We often complain that Nigerians are travelling abroad, yet many international tourists continue to visit Nigeria in significant numbers. This shows that Nigeria possesses enormous tourism potential, and we intend to showcase these hidden attractions,” she added.
The theme of the 2026 AGM is “Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential: Strengthening Tour Operators for Sustainable Destination Development.” Discussions at the event will focus on destination development, strategies for promoting domestic tourism, and strengthening the capacity of tour operators. The association’s leadership will also present its scorecard and achievements over the past decade through a documentary presentation.
NATOP’s Public Relations Officer, Cordis Umeokoli, said the partnership with Ikoyi Golf Club reflects the association’s commitment to inclusivity and cross-sector collaboration. “People need to experience what we have been advocating. They need to see and appreciate the beauty of Nigeria. This partnership is another way of encouraging professionals from other sectors to explore Nigeria’s tourism offerings,” she said.
Speaking during a press conference held at Providha Hotel, Ikeja, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to partnering with tourism stakeholders to unlock the sector’s economic potential.
She conveyed the goodwill message of the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who was unable to attend the event due to official engagements abroad promoting Lagos and Nigeria. Oyekan-Ismaila described Lagos as Nigeria’s tourism and entertainment hub and noted that tourism remains a key pillar of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s development agenda.
She said the state’s tourism strategy focuses on culture and heritage, entertainment and film development, meetings and conferences, beach and leisure tourism, nature and adventure tourism, as well as medical and wellness tourism. “We believe in NATOP and appreciate the efforts of tour operators in promoting our culture, heritage, cuisine, people and destinations. Together, we are showcasing what Nigeria has to offer while creating opportunities for economic growth,” she said.
The President of NATOP, Hajia Bolaji Mustapha also highlighted the contributions of the Lagos State Government to tourism development in Nigeria. “I have worked closely with the Lagos State Government on several tourism initiatives, including World Tourism Day celebrations and efforts to showcase Nigeria at major international tourism exhibitions. Lagos State has consistently supported these initiatives,” she said.
She recalled how the state partnered with NATOP during last year’s World Tourism Day activities, which included a tour of Tarkwa Bay Beach aimed at identifying challenges facing local tourism operators and residents.
According to her, community members identified inadequate transportation during weekdays and poor electricity supply as major concerns. The engagement subsequently led to practical interventions, including hospitality training programmes and the provision of grilling equipment for local food vendors, with support from the Lagos State Government.
“We visited the community to understand their challenges firsthand. The Commissioner was present, and together we listened to their concerns. We subsequently organised training for local caterers and provided equipment to improve service delivery and enhance visitor experiences,” Mustapha explained.
She further acknowledged Lagos State’s role in helping Nigeria regain visibility at major international tourism events after years of limited participation, noting that Lagos was among the leading state governments supporting Nigeria’s participation at the World Travel Market in London and tourism promotion events in Dubai.
The 10th NATOP AGM is expected to attract tour operators, travel professionals, investors, hospitality businesses, government agencies, and development partners from across Nigeria and beyond. The event will focus on industry collaboration, policy advocacy, destination promotion, and strategies for sustainable tourism growth.
Industry stakeholders believe that the strengthened partnership between Lagos State and NATOP could serve as a catalyst for increased investment, job creation, and enhanced international visibility for Nigeria’s tourism sector.
