Looking back, Nigeria’s tourism story has been one of missed opportunities. From the collapse of ambitious projects like the Tinapa Resort in Cross River State to the under-promotion of globally recognized cultural events like the Argungu Fishing Festival and the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, the narrative has been painfully consistent: poor execution, weak infrastructure, and fragmented leadership.
While Nigeria’s peers—Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Morocco, and South Africa—have turned their tourism sectors into billion-dollar industries that attract millions of visitors annually, Nigeria still struggles to even make the top five destinations on the continent.
The truth is clear. Tourism in Nigeria contributes less than 4% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, a far cry from where it could—and should—be. This underperformance reflects the absence of a unified national strategy, the persistent security challenges facing key regions, and the neglect of critical tourism infrastructure such as roads, airports, and hospitality facilities.
But in recent years, there have been sparks of hope. Events like the Akwaaba African Travel Market have begun to draw regional attention. States like Lagos, Cross River, and Ogun are starting to promote their cultural heritage and natural attractions. Private sector players—from airlines to tour operators—are creating innovative travel packages for domestic tourists, and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) is making fresh efforts to reposition the country’s tourism brand.
However, hope alone cannot build an industry. If Nigeria is to unlock the full potential of its tourism economy, it must learn from its past failures and from the success stories of others.
Rwanda built a thriving eco-tourism industry out of its mountain gorilla conservation efforts. Ghana’s “Year of Return” campaign galvanized the African diaspora and boosted its tourism receipts. South Africa, despite its challenges, has built one of the continent’s most recognizable tourism brands.
Nigeria has more natural and cultural endowments than all these countries combined. What it lacks is coordinated action.
The way forward requires urgent steps:
- Address insecurity across tourist destinations.
- Improve infrastructure such as roads, airports, and hospitality services.
- Create a unified national tourism brand that can compete globally.
- Simplify visa processes and promote domestic tourism among Nigerians.
- Empower local communities to benefit from tourism, making them custodians and protectors of these attractions.
- Foster collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, alongside the private sector and global tourism bodies.
The time for rhetoric is over. If the federal government truly wants to diversify Nigeria’s economy and create sustainable jobs for the youth, tourism must no longer be an afterthought. It must become a national priority.
At The Ameh News, we believe that Nigeria’s tourism story is far from over—but the next chapter depends on bold leadership and urgent action. The world will not wait for Nigeria to get its act together. The question is not whether Nigeria has what it takes—the question is whether Nigeria will do what it takes.
The time to act is now.
The Ameh News Editorial Board welcomes responses and insights from industry stakeholders, policymakers, and the public. Email: editor@amehnews.com
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