Ikpeazu Presents Letters of Commission as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to UN Tourism
Oru Leonard
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) following the presentation of his Letters of Commission to the organisation’s Secretary-General, Shaikha Al Nowais.
The presentation ceremony took place on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid, Spain, marking the formal commencement of his diplomatic responsibilities at the global tourism body.
Ikpeazu was accompanied to the ceremony by the Senior Counsellor at the Embassy of Nigeria in Madrid, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
During a meeting shortly after the presentation, Al Nowais commended Nigeria for its active participation in the organisation’s activities and expressed her readiness to work with the Nigerian envoy to strengthen bilateral cooperation and partnership.
In his remarks, Ikpeazu conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Secretary-General and highlighted Nigeria’s vast tourism potential, particularly its cultural diversity, vibrant music industry, Nollywood and colourful festivals.
He also drew attention to seasonal entertainment events, including the popular Detty December, which he said continue to attract international attention and visitors to Nigeria.
The ambassador noted that Nigeria remained committed to harnessing its tourism and creative industries as important instruments of economic diversification, investment attraction and employment generation.
In his new capacity, Ikpeazu is expected to articulate Nigeria’s tourism priorities, strengthen partnerships with UN Tourism member states, promote foreign investment and facilitate technical cooperation within the organisation’s framework.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that his accreditation would further advance Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy and strengthen the country’s engagement with the international tourism community.
It noted that Nigeria had continued to participate actively in UN Tourism initiatives, including the recent admission of the Eko Tourism Foundation as an Affiliate Member during the organisation’s 126th Executive Council Session in Toledo, Spain.
The ministry added that Ikpeazu’s concurrent accreditation to the organisation would enable Nigeria to take greater advantage of Madrid’s position as the headquarters of UN Tourism to promote its tourism assets and cultural interests globally.
Shaikha Al Nowais is the first woman to lead UN Tourism in the organisation’s 50-year history.
