President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday stated that Nigeria is safe and secure for tourism activities, citing improved security and the country’s growing economy.

The President made the declaration in Abuja while receiving the Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, at the Presidential Villa.

Buhari said it would have been inconceivable to host an international tourism conference in Abuja four years ago, because of the numerous security challenges confronting the nation.

“I am pleased that the country is now sufficiently safe and secure, and the message should go out to the world for all tourists and business travellers. The first thing tourists look out for is security and I am happy we have it now.

”Minister Lai Mohammed has been trying to convince the world that Nigeria is safe and has great potentials for tourism and investment.

”I am glad that you and your team have come here to see things for yourself,” President Buhari told the UN tourism chief, who is in Abuja for the 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa (CFA) conference.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the president said Nigeria would not be left behind in ensuring that communities and businesses benefit from tourism development.

In his remarks, Pololikashvili commended Nigeria for the successful hosting of the conference which he said brings African ministers of tourism, principal executives of the global tourism body and other stakeholders in the tourism sector together.

The UN tourism chief told the president that Nigeria has huge potential to develop the tourism sector considering its large economy.

“We can do it in Nigeria, we can create, convert Nigeria to the main tourist destination in Africa. There is a huge potential here. Culture, nature, food you have everything here.

“You are investing in agriculture, improving seamless travel through visa-on-arrival programme, reforming the economy and doing so much on security. Nigeria is safe,” Pololikashvili said.