August 27, (THEWILL) — 
The new President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Dr Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, has pledged to groom young professionals into leadership roles and reposition the federation as a united, self-reliant body capable of driving growth in Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Badaki, a hotelier and consultant with more than 30 years of industry experience, said his administration would prioritise inclusivity, capacity building and succession planning as a way of preparing the next generation to take over leadership of the sector.
“No association can thrive without a succession plan. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of tourism leaders by providing young professionals with meaningful roles”, he declared.
He said his immediate focus would be to strengthen unity among member associations, encourage mergers where necessary, and initiate reforms under what he calls the Tourism Transformation Movement. The initiative, according to him, is designed to promote training and certification, strengthen partnerships, drive policy reforms, and give greater visibility to FTAN as the umbrella body of the private sector.
Badaki, who has risen through the ranks of the federation, added that he would rely on his professional experience and established relationships to restore confidence in the body. He pledged to work closely with the Ministry of Tourism, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), while also ensuring that the interests of operators are protected in policy-making.
He acknowledged that FTAN faces challenges such as weak funding, lack of unity and low visibility, but assured that his administration would run on principles of transparency, inclusivity and accountability. He urged stakeholders across the sector to join hands with him, stressing that cooperation was needed to achieve a stronger federation.
“The future is bright. We will build a united and professional FTAN that is self-sustaining and able to leave a legacy for the tourism industry. Nigerian tourism has found a new voice and renewed vigour, and we are ready to hit the ground running.”
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
