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.
Ikpeazu presented the credentials at the UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid, Spain, at the weekend, formally accrediting him as Nigeria’s chief diplomatic representative to the specialised United Nations agency.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
The appointment is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in global tourism policy discussions, attract foreign investment and expand international partnerships in the tourism and creative sectors.
Speaking after the presentation ceremony, Al Nowais commended Nigeria’s active participation in the organisation’s programmes and expressed her readiness to work closely with the Nigerian envoy to deepen cooperation.
In his response, Ikpeazu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill to the UN Tourism chief and highlighted Nigeria’s enormous tourism and creative industry potential.
He identified the country’s cultural diversity, vibrant music industry, internationally acclaimed Nollywood film industry, colourful festivals and seasonal events, including Detty December, as major attractions capable of drawing international tourists.
According to him, Nigeria’s tourism assets offer significant opportunities for international collaboration, investment and economic growth.
As Permanent Representative, Ikpeazu is expected to promote Nigeria’s tourism priorities, strengthen partnerships with other member states and facilitate foreign investment and technical cooperation under the UN Tourism framework.
His accreditation aligns with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, which recognises tourism and the creative industries as strategic sectors for employment generation, economic growth and foreign exchange earnings.
The ministry described the development as the beginning of a renewed phase of Nigeria’s engagement with the organisation, currently led by Al Nowais, the first woman to occupy the position of Secretary-General in its 50-year history.
Nigeria has remained actively involved 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 noted that Ikpeazu’s concurrent accreditation as Permanent Representative would enable Nigeria to leverage Madrid’s status as the organisation’s headquarters to advance its cultural diplomacy and tourism interests.
The ambassador was accompanied to the ceremony by Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Senior Counsellor at the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid.
