President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of new heads for three federal agencies, in a move the presidency says is aimed at strengthening institutions and repositioning key sectors of the economy.
In a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information & Public Relations, the President named Olayiwola Nurudeen Awakan as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) for an initial term of four years, effective September 2, 2025.
Also appointed were Bello Bawa Bwari from Niger State as Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency, and Hon. Barr. Aminu Junaidu from Zamfara State as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Investment and Security Tribunal.
President Tinubu urged the appointees to bring their expertise to bear in revitalizing their respective agencies for the benefit of Nigerians, reiterating his administration’s resolve to prioritize competence and sectoral growth.
Who is Ola Awakan?
The appointment of Ola Awakan to lead NTDC brings into government a dynamic personality widely respected in Nigeria’s media and cultural circles.
Awakan, popularly known as the “Journathespian” for his rare combination of journalism and theatre, is a multiple award-winning broadcast journalist with TVC News, a dramatist, playwright, poet and actor.
He won the 2022 Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) for TV Production of the Year after earning multiple nominations in previous years. He was also the Trek Africa TV Reporter of the Year in 2019 and 2020, and a recipient of the 2021 Royal African Award presented by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. In 2025, Lead City University conferred on him the Guardian of Culture Award at its Omoge Asa event.
Beyond journalism, Awakan has made a name as a prolific playwright. His works, including Echoes of the Drums, Behind the Map, White Charcoal, Blood and the Smile, Jagabanism, and Abibatu Mogaji (based on the life of President Tinubu’s mother) — have been staged nationwide, with Echoes of the Drums premiered by the National Troupe of Nigeria in 2022 to mark the country’s 62nd independence anniversary.
Awakan is also passionate about education and cultural preservation. He collaborated with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to produce Eko Poems: An Anthology of Nursery Rhymes written by public school pupils, endorsed by renowned poet Prof. Niyi Osundare.
The Lagos-born journalist holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Olabisi Onabanjo University and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos. He has contributed poems to several anthologies, including Five Hundred Nigerian Poets compiled by the late Prof. Jerry Agada.
Tourism Sector Expectations
Stakeholders in the tourism industry say Awakan’s appointment signals a new direction for NTDC, given his deep engagement with culture, arts, and media visibility. With Nigeria seeking to expand its creative economy and tourism footprint, his blend of journalism, theatre, and cultural activism may help position the country more strongly on the global tourism map.
As he assumes office, industry watchers will be keen to see how Awakan leverages his creative background to attract investment, boost domestic tourism, and project Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to the world.
Tinubu Appoints Ola Awakan as DG of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation
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