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 Organization (UN Tourism).
The formal accreditation followed the presentation of his Letters of Commission to UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais at the organisation's global headquarters in Madrid, Spain.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja announced the diplomatic milestone in an official statement issued by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi. Senior Counsellor at the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, accompanied the envoy during the ceremony.
Formal Accreditation in Madrid
The accreditation establishes Ambassador Ikpeazu as Nigeria’s chief diplomatic interlocutor at the specialized United Nations agency responsible for promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism.
During bilateral discussions following the ceremony, Secretary-General Al Nowais commended Nigeria’s sustained engagement in global tourism programs. She affirmed the agency's commitment to deepening institutional cooperation with Nigeria across policy development, capacity building, and sustainable travel initiatives.
Ambassador Ikpeazu conveyed the greetings of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the UN Tourism leadership, reiterating Nigeria’s resolve to expand multilateral partnerships that translate into measurable economic benefits.
Promoting Nollywood, Music, and Cultural Heritage
In his official address, Ambassador Ikpeazu showcased Nigeria’s cultural economy as a primary catalyst for international visitor traffic and creative trade.
He highlighted Nigeria’s diverse heritage, its globally acclaimed music scene, and the Nollywood film industry as major cultural export assets. He also emphasized signature cultural gatherings and seasonal calendar highlights, such as Detty December celebrations, which routinely draw hundreds of thousands of international travellers and diaspora visitors to the country.
The ambassador stressed that Nigeria's rich cultural calendar offers strong commercial opportunities for international tour operators, hospitality investors, and global event planners.
Advancing Nigeria’s Economic Diversification
The assumption of duty directly aligns with the Federal Government's economic diversification agenda, which targets the creative and tourism industries as engines of job creation and non-oil revenue growth.
UN Tourism research identifies destination marketing, creative infrastructure, and digital travel facilitation as vital pillars for emerging market tourism growth. Ambassador Ikpeazu noted that Nigeria's participation in agency programs will help domestic operators access global technical expertise and international promotional platforms.
Strengthening Nigeria’s voice in Madrid ensures the country takes an active role in shaping multilateral tourism standards and regional travel policies across Africa.
Mandate and Next Diplomatic Steps
As Permanent Representative, Ambassador Ikpeazu will oversee Nigeria’s participation in UN Tourism governing bodies, ministerial conferences, and investment task forces.
His immediate operational priorities include mobilizing technical assistance for domestic tourism development, facilitating foreign direct investment into hospitality infrastructure, and promoting sustainable tourism practices across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that regular consultations with member states and international tourism financiers will begin immediately to advance Nigeria's strategic tourism priorities.
