Nigeria and The Gambia are stepping up efforts to strengthen their relationship through tourism, as officials from both countries express a shared commitment to deeper collaboration.
During a recent visit to Abuja, a Gambian delegation led by Hon. Yakuba Darboe, Chairman of the Brikama Area Council, met with the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA). The team was warmly welcomed by Mr. Richard Ovie Esewhaye, Acting Director General of the NTDA, along with other senior staff at the Authority’s headquarters.
Hon. Darboe highlighted the strong cultural and historical connection between the two nations, even playfully referring to The Gambia as Nigeria’s “37th state.” He emphasized the vital role tourism plays in The Gambia’s economy and explained that their visit was part of a push to showcase the country’s tourism potential to Nigeria’s large and diverse population.
He also spoke about the benefits of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, which allows for easier travel across West African borders, saying it offers valuable opportunities for cultural exchange and investment.
“Nigeria is a key market for us,” Darboe said. “We hope that when Nigerians are looking for travel recommendations, The Gambia will be on that list.”
In response, Mr. Esewhaye praised the positive relationship between the NTDA and the Gambia Tourism Board. He acknowledged previous collaborations, including engagements through the Gambia Investment Forum, and stressed the need to go beyond just talks and actually implement meaningful projects.
“The Gambia may be small, but they’ve done big things in tourism,” Esewhaye said. “There’s a lot Nigeria can learn, especially when it comes to generating revenue, promoting culture, and building tourism capacity.”
One challenge raised during the discussion was the lack of direct flights between Nigeria and The Gambia—a concern voiced by Mr. F.O. Anumba, Director of Special Duties at the NTDA. He noted that establishing a direct air link could significantly boost tourism traffic and deepen ties between the two countries.
As both nations look ahead, there are plans to set up a technical committee to identify practical areas of cooperation and turn these diplomatic talks into real-world tourism development.
