It was a scene fit for a blockbuster; full of suspense and anticipation, as former Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, mounted the podium at the Nigeria Tourism Investment Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2025 in Abuja.
The event, organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), was Runsewe’s first major tourism appearance in the Federal Capital Territory since his removal from office on January 12, 2024, during a restructuring of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.
In the front row sat the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa; under whose watch Runsewe exited office.
This was the first time both personalities would be in the same event and share a stage nearly a year after the widely described “unceremonious” exit, setting the room on edge as many wondered how their reunion would unfold.
When invited to speak, Runsewe slipped seamlessly into his familiar style; ebullient, articulate, and deeply informed. He delivered an insightful assessment of global cultural tourism trends, complete with data and analysis reminiscent of his days at the helm of the NCAC and NTDC (now NTDA).
He lamented Nigeria’s absence from the list of Africa’s top 10 performers in the latest global tourism report, which recorded over 1.1 billion international arrivals between January and September 2025. He noted that nations such as The Gambia, South Africa, Kenya, and several North African countries powered the continent’s growth.
Commending FTAN President, Dr. Aliyu Badaki, for his innovative leadership, he urged the Federation to prioritise its Tourism Transformation Mandate.
He also commended the Federation on the choice of the keynote speaker, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, for the event, describing him as cerebral, knowledgeable and fascinating speaker.
Addressing government officials and the Minister directly, he called for a strategic reassessment of the sector, recommending a SWOT analysis framework to reposition Nigeria as a competitive global tourism force.
His presentation drew a loud, sustained applause. As he returned to his seat, he and Musawa exchanged warm pleasantries; an unexpected but heartwarming moment that drew a standing ovation from the audience.
In her remarks, Musawa went further, publicly acknowledging Runsewe’s service and contributions to Nigeria’s cultural tourism landscape. She described his impact as “indelible,” and appreciated his recommendations, assuring the audience that his insights would be explored as part of an urgent effort to analyse the sector’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for sustainable transformation.
