National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) have agreed to work together with a view to exploring opportunities for collaborations in the culture and tourism sector.

The agreement was reached recently in Abuja when the newly elected President of NATOP, Hajia Bolaji Mustapha, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the NCAC office.

Other members of the NATOP delegation include the Deputy President, Ms Geraldine Itoe; Public Relations Officer, Mr Onyeka Okwudiri as well as Ms Ogugua Anobili, the Financial Secretary.

NATOP is the private sector operators’ body in the tourism sector of the economy. NCAC is the agency of government in the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economies.

Receiving the NATOP delegation, Director-General of NCAC, Mr Obi Asika, expressed readiness to partner with the group, especially in the area of cultural tourism promoting, as he further promised to activate the agency’s capacities towards ensuring that the country’s tourism assets are fully tapped.

Asika, while welcoming the initiative, also restated the NCAC’s commitment to supporting and partnering with key stakeholders in the tourism industry.

Remarking earlier, NATOP president, Hajia Mustapha, expressed optimism over the potential outcomes of the collaboration with the NCAC under the management of Asika, as she further noted that joint efforts could lead to significant advancements in promoting Nigerian arts and culture to a broader audience.

According to a statement signed by the NATOP’s General Secretary, Otunba Michael Balogun, the courtesy visit was also aimed at fostering discussions in areas of mutual interest and exploring potential collaborations between both parties.

“The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss how NATOP can work together with NCAC to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and boost the tourism sector.

“Emphasis was placed on leveraging the strengths of both organisations to create synergies that would benefit the industry and enhance Nigeria’s global cultural and tourism footprint,” the statement read.

The new executive committee of NATOP emerged after its recently concluded Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, from July 17 to 20, with Mustapha, the CEO of Grand Express Tour (GET) Centre, being elected unopposed, as she moved up from her previous role as Deputy President of the group.