The golden fish, they say has no hiding place. So it has been a season of honour and recognition for Dr. Dahiru Bala as The International Society of Diplomats recently appointed him as Chairman of its newly established Tourism and Cultural Diplomacy Committee (TCDC) under the Directorate for Tourism Africa.
In an appointment letter signed by Ambassador Phil Roberts, Director for Tourism at the ISD, the organization described Dr. Bala’s appointment as a recognition of his “distinguished record of leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the ideals of cultural and tourism diplomacy.”
Dr Dahiru Bala Chairman of Tourism and Cultural Diplomacy at International Society of Diplomats
Dr. Bala’s mandate is to drive Cultural Diplomacy among nations.
Cultural diplomacy is a type of soft power that includes the exchange of ideas, information, art, language and other aspects of culture among nations and their peoples in order to foster mutual understanding.
The purpose of cultural diplomacy is for the people of a foreign nation to develop an understanding of the nation’s ideals and institutions in an effort to build broad support for economic and political objectives.
For Dr Bala, his appointment as Chairman, Tourism and Cultural Diplomacy Committee (TCDC) under the Directorate for Tourism Africa, “means a lot to me and the Diplomat Community”.
In his capacity as Chairman, Dr. Bala is responsible for providing visionary leadership and building a dynamic movement that positions Tourism and Cultural Diplomacy at the heart of International Relations, Peace Building and Sustainable Development.
“It is pertinent to note that Tourism and Culture are pivotal in connecting people, fostering understanding, Sustainability and Diplomacy” he said.
Under his leadership , the committee will be offering strategic direction and International representation for TCDC, coordinating committee programs, dialogues and capacity building initiatives, mobilizing Stakeholders and partnerships that will advance Tourism Diplomacy while upholding ISD values of Integrity, Diplomacy and excellence in all engagements.
In another development, the Africa CEO Club, an exclusive private membership club has also inducted Dr Dahiru Bala as a Silver Member.
According to the organization, Dr Dahiru Bala was chosen given his over 30 years of experience in finance, investment, policy, and development and his work spanning high-level collaborations with both public and private institutions.
Speaking on his induction into the club, Dr Bala said “it signifies a Call to Action in celebrating leadership and to accelerate inclusive prosperity across Africa. Africa is the power house of the future with its enormous human and material resources”.
“Africa with the right mindset will dominate economic power and also a leading determinant of global prosperity”, he noted
Dr Dahiru Bala holds a BSc in Accounting, an MBA, a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy, and a PhD in Business Management; all from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU).
Before his appointments, Bala began his career at the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND), where he served from 1996 to 2002, and later joined the Bank of Industry, rising through the ranks between 2003 and 2025.
