World Tourism Day: Governor Alex Otti Declares Arts and Tourism as New Oil for Abia’s Economic Transformation

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has revealed a bold strategy to reposition Abia as a global tourism hub and foreign exchange powerhouse. Speaking at the 2025 World Tourism Day celebration in Umuahia, Otti stressed that arts, culture, and tourism are powerful tools for sustainable transformation. From heritage revival to hospitality infrastructure and eco-tourism hubs, Abia is setting the pace for economic diversification. But can the state truly become Africa’s next Dubai? Read the full details of Governor Otti’s vision and the expert insights shared at the event.

… At 2025 World Tourism Day, Otti unveils plans to make Abia a global tourism hub and foreign exchange powerhouse

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has declared that his administration is deliberately positioning arts, culture, and tourism as the “new oil” to drive sustainable economic growth, global visibility, and foreign exchange earnings for the state.

Speaking at the 2025 World Tourism Day celebration in Umuahia themed “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” Governor Otti, represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, noted that Abia is richly endowed with cultural heritage and tourism potentials that, if harnessed, could turn the state into Africa’s next Dubai or Israel.

He maintained that his administration is already investing heavily in heritage revival, road networks, hospitality infrastructure, and eco-tourism hubs, while also digitizing Abia’s heritage assets and empowering youth and women to thrive in the tourism value chain.

Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Dr. Matt Ekwuribe, described tourism as a powerful tool for inclusive growth, environmental stewardship, and transformative change. He revealed that Abia is laying the foundation for a tourism-driven economy capable of attracting global partnerships, boosting local businesses, and creating thousands of jobs.

Guest lecturer, Dr. Vivian Okpaleke, emphasized that the future of tourism lies in technology-driven marketing, strategic collaborations, and community participation, while Mr. Solomon Uwakwe of Tourism World International stressed that excellent service delivery is the secret weapon for global competitiveness in the sector.

Stakeholders including representatives of Abia State University, Immigration Service, Hotel Management Association, and the EFCC, in their goodwill messages, applauded Governor Otti’s vision, noting that repositioning Abia as a tourism hub would not only diversify the economy but also place the state at the center of Nigeria’s creative and cultural renaissance.

The colorful event, held at the JAAC Building Secretariat, featured drama, cultural performances, discussion panels, and drew dignitaries across the tourism, creative, and hospitality sectors.

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