Kehinde Fajobi
Stakeholders in the tourism and culture sectors have expressed mixed reactions following the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.
The decision was part of a cabinet reshuffle announced by President Bola Tinubu on 23 October, which also resulted in the removal of former Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John.
Israel Eboh, President of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), supported the merger, arguing that tourism and culture are inseparable.
“Arts and culture provide the needed content for tourism to thrive,” Eboh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He recalled that when the ministries were initially separated, concerns were raised.
“Our festivals, crafts, and performances are products of our culture that can boost tourism activities,” he said, adding that the merger is a “beautiful development” and could revitalise the tourism sector, which has struggled in recent years.
Bolaji Amusan, National President of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), also praised the decision, saying it would reduce the cost of governance.
“Tourism, arts, culture, and entertainment are interwoven, so it makes no sense for any of those sectors to be separate,” Amusan said.
He also commended President Tinubu for converting the Ministry of Niger Delta Development into the Ministry of Regional Development, a move he believes will cut costs further.
However, not all stakeholders are pleased. Olugbenga Adebayo, CEO of Gadeshire Travel Company, expressed concern that tourism might not receive adequate attention under the merged ministry.
“The tourism sector has been abandoned for years,” Adebayo said. He had been hopeful when a stand-alone Ministry of Tourism was created, but now fears the merger could mean a return to neglect.
“Merging tourism with other related ministries may still be a setback for tourism,” he added.
Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), focused less on the merger itself and more on the effectiveness of leadership.
“We are more concerned with having fully functional systems and leaders capable of harnessing the country’s enormous tourism and cultural potential,” Okoroji said.
He stressed that effective leadership is key to producing meaningful results, regardless of ministry arrangements.