Ikpeazu Presents Credentials as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to UN Tourism
Ikpeazu Presents Credentials as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to UN Tourism
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has presented his Letters of Commission to the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism), Shaikha Al Nowais, formally accrediting him as the country’s Permanent Representative to the global tourism body.Buy Maps
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, and signed by its Spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Saturday, November 14, 2026, the ministry said the presentation ceremony was held at the UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid, Spain, on Friday, November 13.
The ceremony marked the formal assumption of Dr Ikpeazu’s diplomatic duties as Nigeria’s chief envoy to the global tourism body and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening its engagement with the international tourism community.Buy Maps
During a meeting shortly after the presentation, Al Nowais “lauded Nigeria’s active participation in the activities of the organisation” and expressed her readiness to work closely with the ambassador to further strengthen the partnership between Nigeria and UN Tourism.
In his remarks, Ikpeazu conveyed the warm wishes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Secretary-General and highlighted Nigeria’s enormous tourism potential.Buy Maps
He noted that the country’s tourism space “spanned its diverse cultures, vibrant music, the globally acclaimed Nollywood film industry, colourful festivals, and signature seasonal events such as the ‘Detty December’, which continue to attract visitors from across the world.”
The ambassador was accompanied to the ceremony by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Senior Counsellor at the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid.
As Permanent Representative, Ikpeazu will be responsible for “articulating Nigeria’s tourism priorities, fostering partnerships with Member States, and promoting inward investment as well as technical cooperation opportunities within the UN Tourism framework.”
The ministry said his mandate aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic diversification agenda, which recognises tourism and the creative sectors as key drivers of economic growth and employment generation.
It added that the presentation of credentials to Al Nowais, “the first woman to lead UN Tourism in its 50-year history,” signals a renewed phase of constructive engagement between Nigeria and the organisation.
Nigeria has also demonstrated active participation in the organisation’s initiatives, including the recent admission of the Eko Tourism Foundation as an Affiliate Member during the 126th Session of the Executive Council in Toledo, Spain.
The ministry said Ikpeazu’s concurrent accreditation as Permanent Representative to UN Tourism positions him to leverage Madrid’s status as the organisation’s headquarters to advance Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy.
