Venture capitalist, cultural commentator, and Forbes Top 25 Black British Business Person Charmaine Hayden has been unveiled as the official face of Visit Nigeria, following a buzzy pre-launch press conference in the capital that brought together media, stakeholders, and partners to chart a new narrative for Nigerian tourism.
Why Hayden? Because she backs winners. A former fund manager at GOODsoil VC with two successful angel exits, an FT 100 BAME Tech Leaders honoree, and an adviser to African governments, she understands how credible infrastructure is built and what makes platforms trustworthy. That investor rigour is precisely what Visit Nigeria says it wants to embed as it builds “the verified gateway Nigeria deserves.”
The initiative previewed a year of partnerships, campaigns, and conversation series spotlighting Nigeria’s living culture—from food and fashion to film, festivals, and faith tourism—while promising a user journey that’s seamless, authentic, and unforgettable. At its core is a quality-assured marketplace: verified operators, safer bookings, and data-driven standards that can attract both travelers and capital.
Hayden’s remit goes beyond front-of-brand sparkle. Expect her to translate venture playbooks into tourism:
• Trust & Standards: Clear verification badges, dispute resolution, and service SLAs for operators.
• SME Enablement: Accelerator-style support to help tour providers meet global benchmarks.
• Diaspora & Global Reach: Targeted campaigns that convert curiosity into bookings.
• Measurement: Transparent metrics on visitor satisfaction, inclusivity, and sustainability.
“Backing Africa’s most promising ventures has been my life’s work,” Hayden said. “Now I’m backing Nigeria’s tourism transformation, because credibility plus culture is an unbeatable growth story.”
For Visit Nigeria, the Abuja event marks lift-off. With media and industry now aligned, the platform is positioning the country as a high-trust, high-style destination—one where the traveler’s experience is curated with the same discipline investors demand. The welcome mat is out; the mandate is clear: turn Nigeria’s cultural capital into bankable confidence—at home and for the world.
