The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has announced the appointment of Mr. Lai Mohammed, the former Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Nigeria, as the Special Advisor to UNWTO Secretary General, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili.
The appointment was officially made during the opening session of the 66th UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) currently taking place in Mauritius.
With a remarkable track record in the world of tourism, Mr. Lai Mohammed is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, having consistently played instrumental roles in the affairs of the world tourism body for the past seven years.
Notably, he led the successful organization of the 61st UNWTO CAF Meetings in Nigeria in 2018 and the inaugural UNWTO Global Conference on Linking Tourism, Culture, and Creative Industries in Lagos last year.
In his new capacity, Mr. Mohammed will play a crucial role in supporting Secretary-General Pololikashvili’s objective of making Africa a key region for the global tourism economy through the Agenda for Africa program.
Expressing his gratitude for the appointment, Mr. Lai Mohammed said, “I stand before you, deeply touched and inspired by your generous words of confidence and trust.
With so much gratitude for the confidence placed in me by the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr. Zurab Pololikashivili, and with an unswerving resolve to honor that trust, I humbly accept the appointment as the Special Advisor on Tourism to the Secretary General of this great Organization.”
Mr. Mohammed further acknowledged the significance of his new role, stating, “I am deeply honored to become the first Nigerian to serve in this capacity. Nigeria is dynamic and diverse in terms of natural and human resources in the areas of tourism, culture, creative industries, technology, and other aspects of our national economy.”
As the Special Advisor, Mr. Lai Mohammed will have a multifaceted mandate, including assisting in developing a strategy for restarting sustainable and safe tourism post COVID-19.
He will also provide valuable advice to the UNWTO Secretary General on issues related to information and culture.
In addition to these responsibilities, Mr. Mohammed will be preparing relevant reports and research documents in line with UNWTO’s principles.
He will accompany and offer advice to the Secretary General during his visits and propose relevant actions of public relations in line with the world tourism body’s priorities.
Mr. Mohammed’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Nigeria and Africa as a whole, showcasing the region’s commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism development
