In a decisive move to elevate Nigeria’s tourism profile, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has thrown its weight behind Ogun State’s bid to host the 2026 edition of Miss Tourism Nigeria.
The ministry’s endorsement, conveyed through strategic partnerships with the Visit Nigeria Initiative, signals a major boost for the pageant, which doubles as a powerful platform to spotlight Nigeria’s cultural heritage and creative economy. Collete Nwadike, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Nigeria Initiative, confirmed the federal backing, describing the event as a catalyst for positioning Ogun as a national tourism hub.
Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Oluwasesan Fagbayi, warmly welcomed the development during a high-level delegation visit in Abeokuta. “Hosting the 2026 Miss Tourism Nigeria and The Most Beautiful State project is a welcome development that will turn around the tourism space and showcase the State’s rich heritage to the world,” he said.
The ministry will provide policy guidance and logistical support within approved budgetary limits, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda’s focus on cultural diplomacy and economic diversification through tourism. The initiative builds on a recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Federal Ministry and Ogun State Government to transform iconic sites like Olumo Rock into vibrant creative and tourism centres.
Scheduled to run from June to July 2026 across Ogun State, the expanded programme will feature a 37-day national tourism showcase profiling the state’s culture, attractions, cuisine, and investment opportunities. It culminates in a grand national gala and finale in Abuja, where three queens will be crowned to represent Nigeria at major international pageants in China, Vietnam, and across Africa.
With the Gateway International Airport now operational, organisers anticipate unprecedented media exposure and diaspora engagement, promising a significant influx of visitors and investment into Ogun and Nigeria’s broader tourism sector.
This collaboration underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to harnessing beauty pageants as strategic tools for cultural promotion and sustainable economic growth.
