The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, has been conferred with an Honorary Professional Fellowship Doctorate in Strategic Leadership and Public Resources Management in West Africa by the Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics (CIPRMP), Ghana.
The award presentation took place at the NTDA Headquarters in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Dr. Yinka Olateju, Country Director of CIPRMP, and Alhaji Abdulazeez Salami, Executive Director of Research and Training.
Speaking on behalf of the Institute’s President, Governing Council, and Advisory Board, Dr. Olateju stated that the recognition celebrates Mr. Awakan’s exceptional leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to ethical governance, excellence, and youth empowerment across Africa.
He further described the NTDA helmsman as “a multifaceted media professional, award-winning journalist, thespian, and cultural ambassador whose dedication to preserving Nigeria’s indigenous identity continues to inspire others.”
In their goodwill messages, Mr. Akinyele Femi, Director of the National Travel Bureau (NTB), and Ms. Celina Okpe, Director of Marketing and Promotion, lauded the DG for his humility, approachability, and dedication to teamwork and institutional development.
Expressing his appreciation for the honour, Mr. Awakan dedicated the award to his wife, family, and parents, stating:
“This is my charge to continue to do what I love — serve humanity.”
He urged young people to remain passionate, focused, and consistent in their pursuit of excellence, emphasizing that these qualities are the true drivers of success.
Mr. Awakan also reaffirmed the NTDA’s commitment to advancing the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Established in 1995 and chartered in 2005, the Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics (CIPRMP), Ghana, is dedicated to promoting ethical governance, leadership excellence, and accountability across Africa.
This honour adds to the growing list of national and international recognitions received by Mr. Awakan for his outstanding contributions to tourism development and exemplary leadership in Nigeria.