The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Thursday opened its 25th anniversary commemoration and Endowment Fund launch with a call for renewed commitment to security, tourism development and livestock sector transformation in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking as the Chair of the roundtable on “Tourism for Security,” the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said tourism must be seen as a strategic driver of peace, unity and national cohesion.
She stressed that insecurity undermined tourism growth, saying that visitors would not explore heritage sites and cultural landscapes if they fear for their safety.
The minister said security also concerns the protection of museums, monuments, national parks and cultural assets which she described as “critical national treasures.
She urged the stakeholders to imagine a Nigeria where every visitor feels welcomed, safe and inspired by the country’s beauty and heritage.
Musawa explained that tourism provides real economic opportunities for communities, reducing exclusion, poverty and alienation.
According to her, when tourism creates jobs and stimulates local businesses, communities become the first line of defence against insecurity.
The minister identified major constraints affecting the tourism sector, including inadequate funding, weak infrastructure, piracy in the creative industry, insufficient data and persistent security challenges.
She disclosed that her ministry was deploying a multi-faceted strategy, including the Creative Economy Data Mapping Report, the D30 Data Platform and the National Tourism Masterplan.
The minister announced that the National Tourism Master plan, scheduled for unveiling next month, was designed to boost jobs, improve infrastructure and attract investments through public private partnerships.
The plan aims to position tourism as a globally competitive sector driven by data and innovation.
Musawa emphasised the need for community-led tourism models such as eco-lodges, cultural festivals, artisan hubs and homestays which would empower locals as custodians of peace and cultural heritage.
She added that the Renewed Hope Cultural Initiative would preserve cultural assets through restoration, artistic promotion and digital archiving.
The minister further called for deeper collaboration with security agencies to strengthen safety across tourism corridors through improved road networks, secure airports, better visitor centres and strong digital infrastructure.
According to her, tourism and media must work together to craft Nigeria’s global image through innovation and storytelling.
In her message to the security agencies, she urged them to protect the nation’s heritage and partner with the creative sector in nation building.
She also called on investors to recognise tourism as a strategic sector deserving significant financing and innovation.
Communities, she said, remained the backbone of tourism due to their cultural knowledge and traditions.
Delivering a separate goodwill message, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar , congratulated ACF on its silver jubilee.
He highlighted the enormous economic potential of Nigeria’s livestock value chains. He said livestock remain vital sources of food, nutrition, livelihood, insurance and wealth for millions of Nigerians, especially in the North.
Mukhtar expressed concern over Nigeria’s low milk production, noting that the country produces only 0.7 billion litres annually and consumes far below global and WHO standards.
He added that in spite of having millions of cattle, Nigeria spends over $1.5 billion yearly on dairy imports, calling it a “paradox that must be corrected.”
The minister outlined the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NLGAS), a five year plan (2025–2030) approved by the Federal Government to transform the livestock sector from a $32 billion to $74 billion economy.
He highlighted its 10 pillars, including animal health, fodder development, peacebuilding, value chain enhancement, water management, infrastructure, finance, youth empowerment and data systems.
He urged Northern states to key into the strategy, saying planned and well ,coordinated investments in dairy development, beef ranching, goat and sheep production, fodder cultivation, poultry expansion, leather value chains and modern abattoirs would generate proteins, jobs and foreign exchange.
Earlier in his opening remarks, ACF Board of Trustees Chairman, Bashir Dalhatu, welcomed the participants and said the Forum was pleased to host the anniversary activities.
He explained that the four-day celebration aims to showcase innovation and opportunities across the region, particularly for young entrepreneurs.
Dalhatu said the programme was structured to enable experts mentor young business owners and expose them to new strategies essential for Northern Nigeria’s development.
He said that exhibition stalls had been set up to demonstrate possibilities that could propel the next generation beyond perceived limits.
The chair added that a special pavilion had been dedicated to women, reflecting ACF’s commitment to gender inclusion and empowerment.
According to him, the forum’s guiding principle remains to uplift the less privileged and bridge inequality across the region under the banner of “one people, one North.”
Dalhatu said the activities would continue over the next three days and include a dinner, cultural evening and awards ceremony on Friday, culminating in the grand finale on Saturday.
He added that while the celebrations were festive, they also served as an occasion to honour those who have lost their lives or suffered injuries due to insecurity in the North over the last 15 years.
He commended the armed forces, police and other security agencies for their sacrifices, stressing that peace and stability remain prerequisites for development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event continues with panel sessions, exhibitions and interactions between policymakers, investors and stakeholders across various sectors.(NAN)
