Hannatu Musa Musawa
In a bold move to reverse brain drain and boost the economy through tourism and cultural engagement, the Federal Government has launched the Motherland 2025 Initiative, a project designed to reconnect Nigerians in the diaspora with their roots while positioning the country as a global tourism hub.
At the inauguration of the Motherland 2025 Initiative Committee in Abuja, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, charged committee members with ensuring the initiative’s success.
Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Nnka Ikem Anibeze in a statement quoted her to have emphasized that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere soft power initiative, which aims to showcase Nigerian heritage on the world stage.
“Motherland 2025 is not just about tourism; it is about reversing the migration trend, fostering national pride, and creating economic opportunities for Nigerians at home and abroad,” Musawa stated.
The initiative according to the Minister will feature, Motherland 2025 Festival – a global showcase of Nigeria’s arts, culture, and creative industries, Diaspora City – a tourism and investment hub enabling Nigerians abroad to reinvest in their homeland and Citizenship Program – a heritage-tracing platform that reconnects individuals with their Nigerian ancestry, driving cultural engagement and foreign investment.
The committee, drawn from government agencies and private sector organizations, including the National Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), and the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), is tasked with delivering the project efficiently and within set timelines.
With Motherland 2025, Nigeria is taking a strategic step towards leveraging its cultural assets for economic transformation, turning migration challenges into opportunities for tourism, investment, and national development.