Experts say Nigeria needs to rethink how it handles tourism because it can help reduce the country’s reliance on oil, earn more foreign money, and improve long-term economic growth.
They made this point at a seminar hosted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lagos.
The event was titled: “Redefining Tourism and Hospitality Industry for Sustainable Economic Development.”
Mr. Hassan Zakari, Executive Director of the West Africa Tourism Organisation, said tourism and hospitality could help the country grow in a sustainable way and create many jobs.
He said the sector could benefit from a global market that supports over 41 million jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Zakari said Nigeria had a chance to improve tourism by using modern technology and better strategies, instead of sticking to old ways.
He added that hotel earnings in Nigeria might reach $1.67 billion by the end of 2025, showing strong recovery after the pandemic.
“This number shows that tourism is growing well and has great potential, even with economic challenges,” he said.
Zakari said major problems include unstable exchange rates, safety concerns, lack of skills, and poor infrastructure.
He called on the government, private sector, and international partners to work together to fix these issues.
With joint efforts, he said the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority expects tourism to bring in over $12 billion yearly by 2026.
Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, President of the LCCI (represented by Deputy President Mr. Leye Kupoluyi), said tourism and hospitality now play big roles in the global economy.
He said the sector helps grow the economy, create jobs, protect culture, and earn foreign income. However, he noted that Nigeria’s tourism is not doing as well as it should, even though the country has rich culture, wide landscapes, and an active population.
He said Nigeria needs to identify and solve key issues that are slowing down the growth of the tourism and hospitality sector.
He said Nigeria should create a single national tourism brand, build better infrastructure, improve safety, and use digital tools to attract more tourists.
He proposed a global media campaign called “Destination Nigeria: Safe, Diverse, Beautiful.”
He also suggested creating a National Tourism Council under the Presidency to guide policies and help investors. He called for a new law that encourages tourism investment with tax benefits.
Idahosa said Nigeria must use technology to support tourism startups, offer smart tourism websites and booking platforms, and use digital data to improve services.
Dr. Iyadunni Gbadebo from Eko Hotels and Suites said Nigeria needs a fresh approach to tourism—one that is real, creative, and based on partnerships.
She said Nigeria’s story has often been told by outsiders in a negative way, even though the country has many inspiring stories of strength and creativity.
“We have world-famous music, movies, fashion, and a rich history. These are our strengths, and we should promote them,” she said.
Gbadebo added that young Nigerians should be encouraged to build careers in tourism, including hotel work, cooking, online marketing, and policy-making.
She stressed the need to work with schools and training centers so that education prepares students for real tourism jobs.
Mrs. Abiola Ogunbiyi, Chair of the Hotel and Tourism Group (represented by Dr. Tunde Lawrenson), said Nigeria should promote its tourism potential to the world.
She said Nollywood succeeded because it shared its value and success stories widely, and tourism should do the same.
She added that Nigeria must fix its tourism infrastructure and support the industry as a lasting alternative to depending only on oil.
