I'm Vying For FTAN Southwest Vice President Position To Promote Tourism In Yorubaland-Bolaji Kelani

As Nigeria seeks a new source of revenue generation and attraction of foreigners to the country, a tourism expert, Dr. Abolaji Kelani has revealed that he is passionate about repositioning tourism in the South Western part of Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview, Kelani, an aspirant for the position of the South-West Vice President of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), said that he will operate under a 5-point agenda to achieve his vision for the sector.

Dr Kelani, the Chief Executive Officer of Aerovessel School of Aviation and Tourism Management with branches in Lekki, Lagos and Ota, Ogun State, revealed that his first agenda is the promotion of community-based tourism in the South West.

"I will promote inclusive tourism models by engaging local host communities as key stakeholders, tour guides, artisans, vendors, entertainers, and eco-tourism partners. 

"Part of our agenda is to ensure revenue sharing and capacity development so that communities can take pride in heritage management and benefit economically from tourism growth.

"My administration will foster collaboration and innovation by championing partnerships between government, FTAN affiliates, private tourism operators, and academia to drive creative tourism products and infrastructure plans.

"As FTAN Vice President, I will encourage public–private engagement to co-finance festivals, exhibitions, and international trade participation, enhancing visibility and sustainable impact," he said.

The tourism expert added that part of his plans is to invest in training and capacity building, saying that he would prioritize continuous training for tourism professionals, hospitality operators, and local entrepreneurs through FTAN’s initiatives and sponsored programs.

He further promised fo promote participation in forums such as Nigeria Tourism Investment Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) with dedicated training sessions for state tourism officers and stakeholders across the Southwest.

The fourth agenda, he said, is to showcase the southwest's unique identity by elevating the region’s cultural assets, festivals, historic sites, culinary heritage, arts, and landscapes, as prime tourism products.

He stressed that this will be done by using strategic branding and destination marketing campaigns to position the Southwest as a premier tourism zone, both domestically and internationally.

The fifth, he said, is advocating for tourism growth in the South West.

He said; "I will represent regional tourism priorities to national and state governments, lobby for infrastructure investments, streamlined policy, easier travel facilitation, and supportive legislation.

"I promise to lead FTAN's vision to increase inbound flow, domestic visitation, job creation, and revenue generation from tourism across South West Nigeria."