Dr Aliyu Badaki, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), says sports tourism is driving economic diversification, national branding, youth empowerment, and investment attraction in Nigeria.
Badaki stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition organized by Ringo Sport Club.
“Sports tourism also supports cultural exchange and sustainable development,” he said.
He commended the organizers for convening what he described as a strategic conference aimed at strengthening cooperation among ministries, departments, and agencies.
“Sports tourism involves travel linked to watching or participating in sporting events,” he added.
According to him, the sector generates billions annually and creates jobs across transportation, hospitality, entertainment, media, infrastructure, and retail.
“The United Kingdom, Qatar, South Africa, Morocco, the United States, and Rwanda have successfully leveraged sports tourism.
“Nigeria has the youth population, talent, culture, strategic location, hospitality assets, loyal supporters, and a vibrant entertainment industry,” Badaki said.
He noted, however, that Nigeria’s major challenge remained weak coordination, limited synergy, and poor collaboration among key institutions.
“Sports tourism cannot thrive in isolation. It requires deliberate partnerships across institutions,” he said.
He identified roads, airports, visa processes, security, media promotion, and hospitality services as essential to boosting visitor confidence.
Badaki said football tourism, marathons, water sports, golf, and mountain activities offered strong opportunities for growth.
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He, however, highlighted infrastructure gaps, policy inconsistency, security concerns, weak marketing, and inadequate funding as major setbacks.
“Sports tourism offers Nigeria a sustainable path toward inclusive economic growth.
“Collaboration must replace competition, fragmentation, bureaucracy, and empty rhetoric,” he said.
He pledged FTAN’s support for partnerships that could help build a vibrant sports tourism economy.
Also speaking, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), described sports tourism as a powerful global economic force.
“Efficient aviation determines national accessibility and supports sporting ambition,” Kuku said.
She added that modern and secure airports remained central to attracting regional and international sporting events.
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, also commended the conference and its development-focused agenda.
“Sports and tourism can promote unity, employment, and Nigeria’s global image,” he said.
He assured stakeholders of continued public enlightenment, citizen engagement, and community participation.
