The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Olayiwola Awakan, participated as a panellist in the inaugural Goge Africa Cultural Dialogue and Diplomacy Series, held on July 2, 2026, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos. The event, organized in collaboration with the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), focused on the theme “Eyo Culture and Soft Power: Driving Diplomacy, Integration and Economic Growth.” 
Awakan underscored storytelling as a vital instrument for tourism promotion, describing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage as a potent asset for attracting visitors, forging stronger international relations, and fostering inclusive economic growth. He positioned culture not merely as tradition but as a dynamic catalyst for diplomacy and national development, capable of projecting Nigeria’s identity globally while generating sustainable revenue. 
The DG specifically commended the Goge Africa team for their compelling documentary on the iconic Eyo masquerade — a storied Yoruba festival unique to Lagos that embodies governance, ancestry, and communal identity. He reaffirmed the NTDA’s dedication to partnering with visionary stakeholders like Goge Africa to harness such cultural assets, elevate them to world-class standards, and advance tourism development across Nigeria. 
The dialogue highlighted how initiatives like this can transform cultural narratives into tools for economic diversification and soft power projection, aligning with broader efforts to position Nigeria as a premier destination on the global stage.
