Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Eko Tourism Foundation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (left) receiving the Certificate of Membership awarded to Eko Tourism Foundation as a new Affiliate Member of UN TOURISM from Shaikha Al Nuwais (right), the UN Tourism Secretary General, in Toledo, Spain on Thursday
The Eko Tourism Foundation (ETF) has been admitted as an Affiliate Member of UN Tourism, marking a major milestone in the Foundation’s efforts to position Lagos and Nigeria as leading global tourism destinations.
The approval of the Foundation’s membership was granted at the 126th Session of the Executive Council of UN Tourism held in Toledo, Spain, on June 11, 2026, following the submission of ETF’s application on November 17, 2025.
The Certificate of Membership was presented to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Eko Tourism Foundation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, by the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Al Nuwais, during the Executive Council meeting.
The certificate states that the membership was awarded in appreciation of the Foundation’s commitment to the values, aims, principles and policies of UN Tourism, a specialized agency of the UN responsible for sustainable and universally-accessible tourism around the world.
Welcoming the development, Alhaji Mohammed, a former Minister of Information and Culture who is also the Chairman of ETF’s Governing Council, described the admission into UN Tourism as a significant international endorsement of the Foundation’s vision and mission.
“This affiliation is a strong vote of confidence in the EkoTourism Foundation and its commitment to advancing tourism development in Lagos, Nigeria and Africa. It gives us a credible global platform to engage with tourism stakeholders across the world, exchange ideas, build partnerships and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of sustainable tourism,” he said.
As an Affiliate Member, the Eko Tourism Foundation joins a global network of more than 500 tourism stakeholders, including tourism boards, private-sector organizations, educational institutions, destinations and industry associations from around the world.
The membership provides ETF with access to international best practices, policy discussions, research, capacity-building opportunities and collaborative initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
Affiliate Membership of UN Tourism is a globally recognized status that offers institutional credibility, enhanced visibility and access to one of the world’s most influential tourism networks.
The Eko Tourism Foundation was formally unveiled in 2025 as a registered non-profit organization established to drive tourism development, advocacy, investment promotion, research, capacity building and destination marketing for Lagos and Nigeria.
The Foundation’s vision is to make tourism a sustainable alternative to Nigeria’s oil-driven economy through infrastructure development, technology, partnerships and advocacy, while its mission is to bring the world to Lagos through the promotion of the state’s rich history, landmarks, culture, arts, music, film, fashion and cuisine.