Information Minister Backs National Compendium on Nigeria’s Economic, Tourism Potential
Oru Leonard
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s economic, cultural and tourism potential through a comprehensive national compendium documenting investment opportunities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Idris gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Press Council led by its Executive Secretary, Dili Ezughah, ahead of the official launch of the publication scheduled for June 17, 2026, at the Presidential Villa.
The Minister described the initiative as a strategic national project aimed at projecting Nigeria positively to the global community and countering negative narratives about the country.
“This project is important because it highlights the enormous economic and tourism potential of our country at a time when some people focus only on negative narratives about Nigeria,” Idris said. “What you are doing is helping to showcase the rich opportunities that abound across the 36 states and the FCT.”
He said the project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the administration’s efforts to diversify the economy through tourism, culture, investment promotion and expansion of the non-oil sector.
According to the Minister, the government is committed to opening up Nigeria’s economic base beyond oil, noting that increasing international interest in the country’s non-oil sector demonstrates positive outcomes from ongoing reforms.
Idris also praised the collaboration between the Nigerian Press Council, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, and other stakeholders involved in the project.
He assured the delegation of the support of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation towards the successful hosting of the launch event, while also commending Vice President Kashim Shettima for supporting the initiative.
Earlier, Ezughah said the project was conceived to strengthen collaboration among government institutions in projecting Nigeria positively to the world.
He explained that the publication would serve as a strategic reference material for investors, diplomatic missions, development partners, chambers of commerce and Nigerians in the diaspora by providing detailed economic and tourism information on every state of the federation.
Also speaking, the project’s Lead Consultant, Tajudeen Toyin-oke, disclosed that the compendium contains comprehensive profiles of all states and the FCT, including investment opportunities, tourism assets, mineral resources, infrastructure, population data and business incentives.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Ola Awakan, described the initiative as a major step towards promoting Nigeria’s tourism and cultural heritage globally.
Awakan said the project would help reshape global perceptions about Nigeria by showcasing the country’s strengths and opportunities to the international community.
The delegation further disclosed that President Tinubu is expected to write the foreword to the publication, while Vice President Shettima will write the preface.
The launch is expected to attract governors, members of the diplomatic corps, investors, development partners and key stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria.
