Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has formally assumed duties as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism), with a mandate to attract investment, deepen international partnerships and promote Nigeria’s tourism potential.
Ikpeazu presented his Letters of Commission to the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Al Nowais, at the organisation’s headquarters in Madrid, Spain, at the weekend.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
The presentation formally accredits Ikpeazu as Nigeria’s chief diplomatic representative to the specialised UN agency and is expected to strengthen the country’s participation in global tourism policy discussions and initiatives.
During a meeting after the ceremony, Al Nowais commended Nigeria’s active participation in the organisation’s activities and expressed her readiness to work closely with the Nigerian envoy to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
In his response, Ikpeazu conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Tinubu to the Secretary-General and highlighted Nigeria’s vast tourism and creative industry potential.
He identified the country’s cultural diversity, vibrant music industry, globally acclaimed Nollywood film industry, colourful festivals and seasonal events such as Detty December as major attractions capable of drawing international visitors.
He said Nigeria’s tourism offerings presented significant opportunities for international collaboration, investment and economic growth.
As Permanent Representative, Ikpeazu is expected to articulate Nigeria’s tourism priorities, build partnerships with other member states and promote inward investment and technical cooperation within the UN Tourism framework.
His appointment aligns with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, which identifies tourism and the creative industries as important drivers of economic growth, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings.
The ministry said the accreditation also marked a renewed phase of Nigeria’s engagement with the organisation, whose leadership is currently headed by Al Nowais, the first woman to serve as Secretary-General in its 50-year history.
Nigeria has continued to participate in the organisation’s programmes, including the recent admission of the Eko Tourism Foundation as an Affiliate Member during the 126th Session of the UN Tourism Executive Council in Toledo, Spain.
The ministry said Ikpeazu’s concurrent accreditation as Permanent Representative would enable Nigeria to take advantage of Madrid’s position as the organisation’s headquarters to advance its cultural diplomacy and tourism interests.
Ikpeazu was accompanied to the presentation ceremony by Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Senior Counsellor at the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid.
