Hannatu Musawa meets UAE ambassador to deepen cultural and tourism cooperation, positioning Nigeria as gateway to the global black community

Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, has reaffirmed her commitment to positioning Nigeria as the gateway to the global black community through enhanced partnerships with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during a meeting with the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Salem Saeed Musabbeh Al Mahyoub Al Shamsi, Musawa said tourism had become a tool of empowerment and a pathway to national independence.

“It is very important for us now, as a country and as a gateway country to the black global community, to empower ourselves in a way that gives us a certain level of independence. Tourism now is power,” she stated.

The Minister commended Dubai’s success in transforming its tourism landscape and underscored the potential for a stronger Nigeria–UAE partnership in culture, tourism, and the creative industries.

She also congratulated Sheikha, the newly appointed Secretary-General of UN Tourism, describing her as a trailblazer for women and the global south.

In his remarks, Ambassador Al Shamsi welcomed Nigeria’s proposals and expressed the UAE’s readiness to deepen collaboration.

“The UAE has become one of the top five industrial countries, so let us find a common interest in culture and tourism to build a stronger relationship,” he said, inviting Musawa and her team to Abu Dhabi for a working visit to explore specific areas of cooperation.

The meeting also discussed Sheikha’s forthcoming visit to Nigeria, with both parties agreeing to identify joint investment opportunities in Nigeria’s film, music, and fashion sectors.

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Musawa assured the UAE delegation of Nigeria’s full commitment to fostering cultural exchange and creative industry growth, noting that such alliances would empower the nation to take a leading role in shaping African and global tourism narratives.