The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, has partnered with Emirates Airline to sign a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at boosting tourism in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement by the tourism ministry, adding that the agreement was formalized during the 2025 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, on Wednesday.

The partnership aims to position Nigeria as a top travel destination in Africa, utilizing Emirates’ vast global network of over 140 passenger destinations.

According to the statement, Emirates will actively promote Nigeria’s tourism to international markets, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and natural attractions, including coastal landscapes and vibrant wetlands.

The MoU was signed by a Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations at Emirates, Adil Al Ghaith, while the Special Assistant to the Nigerian Minister on Sub-National Development and Tourism, Abiola Abdulkareem, signed for the ministry in the presence of the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and other high-ranking officials from both sides.

Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, commented that the agreement signifies a strengthened commitment by the airline to Nigeria.

“Since resuming operations in Lagos in October 2024, we’ve prioritised strategic collaboration in aviation, tourism, and trade. This partnership invites international travelers to explore Nigeria’s dynamic culture, natural beauty, and signature hospitality,” he stated.

Minister Musawa hailed the agreement as a transformative step in achieving Nigeria’s Destination 2030 Soft Power Initiative.

She said, “This collaboration is key to promoting our cultural assets on a global stage. With Emirates’ global reach, we aim to drive economic growth, empower local communities, and elevate Nigeria’s profile as a cultural and creative powerhouse.”

The agreement also includes collaboration with the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority to support marketing campaigns, training programs, and familiarization trips for travel stakeholders.

Emirates highlighted that this initiative will complement recent advancements in Nigeria’s aviation sector, such as the interline agreement with Air Peace, enabling connections from Dubai to 13 additional cities across Nigeria.