The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Olayiwola Awakan, has unveiled plans to establish a smart tourism hub at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
Awakan disclosed the initiative during a visit to his alma mater, where he was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Ayodeji Agboola, alongside members of the institution’s management team.
As part of the visit, the NTDA boss toured key facilities within the university, including its upgraded Information and Communication Technology Centre, which he described as one of the largest in the country.
He also visited the Department of Performing Arts, where students staged an excerpt from his play, Echoes of the Drums, in his honour.
Speaking on the project, Awakan said the proposed smart tourism hub would provide virtual access to tourist destinations across Nigeria, while serving as a platform for learning, innovation, and revenue generation.
He noted that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to position tourism as a major driver of economic diversification.
According to him, the authority would collaborate with the university and other institutions to develop tourism-focused academic programmes aimed at boosting job creation and sectoral growth.
Awakan also reiterated his commitment to supporting his alma mater, describing the project as a way of giving back to an institution that played a key role in shaping his career.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Agboola, described Awakan as a worthy ambassador of the university and commended his contributions to national development. He noted that the proposed hub would open up new opportunities for students and better prepare them for life after graduation.
Highlight of the visit was the conferment of the Great Ambassador Award on Awakan by the university’s Department of Mass Communication, in recognition of his professional achievements and contributions to the institution.
The visit underscored the importance of alumni engagement in driving institutional growth and advancing Nigeria’s tourism sector.
