Nigeria and The Gambia have renewed their commitment to deepening tourism collaboration, following a visit by a Gambian delegation led by Hon. Yakuba Darboe, Chairman of Brikama Area Council.
The delegation was received by officials of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) at its Abuja headquarters. During the meeting, Hon. Darboe described the cultural and historical connection between the two countries as strong, often calling The Gambia the “37th state of Nigeria.” He highlighted tourism as a major pillar of The Gambia’s economy and urged Nigeria to consider the country in its tourism promotion strategies.
He also emphasized the value of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol and called for greater regional integration in tourism and cultural exchange.
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In response, Mr. Richard Ovie Esewhaye, Acting Director General of NTDA, praised the partnership and noted that Nigeria could learn from The Gambia’s tourism model, especially in areas like revenue generation and cultural preservation. He proposed setting up a technical committee to explore practical areas for cooperation.
Mr. F.O. Anumba, Director of Special Duties at NTDA, pointed out the need for direct flights between Nigeria and The Gambia, saying such connectivity would significantly improve tourist movement and bilateral engagement.
The visit ended with the presentation of an award to Mr. Esewhaye in recognition of his leadership and contributions to regional cooperation.
