Business
Chinese Delegation Tours Nigeria’s Tourism Spots
A 45-member delegation from the Chinese University of Hong Kong has begun a tour of the country’s tourist spots.
Chief Olusegun Runsewe, Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), told journalists on Friday in Lagos that the tour was part of efforts to make the country a tourism destination.
He said the delegation, made up of 40 students and five professors, would visit major tourism and cultural spots in Lagos and some states.
The tourists, he said, would be in the country for two weeks, noting that “ this is a testimony of marketing the nation’s tourism potentials at the international scene.
“NTDC will open more doors of opportunity that would enhance influx of tourists for economic development.
“The turn-out of tourists in certain destinations and the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) pronouncement that Africa is now prime tourism destination prompted NTDC to maximise the opportunities from such arrivals and receipts.
“ The visit will give the tourists first hand information about the nation’s tourism potentials and Nigerians hospitality.
“ I strongly believe that selling this country must not be through propaganda, but through efforts to make those visiting feel the people and experience our hospitality,’’ he said.
Prof. Lawal Marafa, a Nigerian lecturer at the Chinese university, said the visit would enhance cultural interaction and broaden both countries’ relationship in tourism.
Ms Jiang Xu, Head of the Chinese delegation, described Nigerians as energetic and hospitable people.
She said the delegation was in the country to have basic knowledge about the country’s tourism potentials.
Mr Calvin Chung, another tourist, promised to be Nigeria’s ambassador in marketing her tourism potentials, saying the delegation would return home and tell the success story of the visit.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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