Redefining Tourism Key To Nigeria’s Economic Growth – Experts

Folashade Adeniran
Jun, Thu, 2025

Economy/Business

Redefining tourism key to Nigeria’s economic growth – Experts

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

Experts have stressed the need to redefine Nigeria’s tourism sector citing its potential to reduce the country’s dependence on oil, boost foreign exchange earnings, and drive long-term socioeconomic development.

They made the call at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Hotel and Tourism Group seminar on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was: “Redefining Tourism and Hospitality Industry for Sustainable Economic Development.”

The Executive Director, West Africa Tourism Organisation, Mr Hassan Zakari, said tourism and hospitality offered a key path to sustainable growth and jobs.

Zakari quoted that the sector had the potential to tap into a global market supporting over 41 million jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Zakari said Nigeria had a unique opportunity to reshape tourism by embracing sustainable, technology-driven models and moving beyond outdated approaches.

He noted that the country’s hotel revenue was projected to reach $1.67 billion by end of 2025, representing a robust recovery and expansion from pandemic lows.

“This figure demonstrate the sector’s remarkable resilience and growth potential, with strong demand fundamentals supporting continued investment despite macroeconomic challenges,” he said.

Zakari said key challenges facing the sector included exchange rate volatility, insecurity perceptions, skill gaps and infrastructure deficits.

He called for coordinated action from government, private stakeholders, and international partners to unlock its full potential.

“With coordinated efforts, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority expects the sector to surpass $12 billion in annual revenue by 2026, significantly boosting national economic growth,” he said.

The President, LCCI, Mr Gabriel Idahosa, represented by the Deputy President, LCCI, Mr Leye Kupoluyi, said tourism and hospitality had emerged globally as key economic drivers.

He said they contributed to not only to Gross Domestic Product but also to employment, cultural preservation, and foreign exchange earnings.

Idahosa, however, noted that in spite of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, vast landscape, and entrepreneurial population, its tourism sector remained under-leveraged.

He said Nigeria must begin with a candid assessment of the structural and operational challenges impeding progress to redefine the tourism and hospitality industry.

He said the country must have a unified tourism brand or digital strategy to showcase its unique assets, improve infrastructure and shore up its security architecture to boost tourists’ interests.

“There should be a global media campaign branded “Destination Nigeria: Safe, Diverse, Beautiful.”

“We also call for the enactment of governance reforms by creating a National Tourism Council under the Presidency to harmonise policies and streamline investment approvals, while also introducing a Tourism Investment Promotion Act with fiscal incentives.

“Nigeria must embrace technology by supporting tourism-tech startups, offering smart tourism portals, and digital booking systems that enhance traveler experience and collect valuable data for decision-making, ” he said.

Dr Iyadunni Gbadebo, Director, Sales and Marketing, Eko Hotels and Suites, said to awaken the huge tourism potential, Nigeria must embrace a new approach rooted in authenticity, driven by innovation, and fortified by strategic collaboration.

Gbadebo noted that Nigeria’s story had largely been told by others, often painted with a brush of sensationalism and negativity, meanwhile the nation was bursting with stories of resilience, creativity, and triumph.

“We have a globally influential music and

film industry, a fashion scene that sets trends worldwide, and a rich, diverse history that is as compelling as any other civilization on earth and these are the assets we must leverage,” she said.

Gbadebo added that young Nigerians must henceforth be empowered to see tourism as a career path that spanned hotel management, culinary arts, digital marketing and policy development.

She emphasised the need to work with universities and vocational schools to align curriculum with market realities, ensuring that Nigeria was building the workforce of tomorrow, today.

Mrs Abiola Ogunbiyi, Chairperson, Hotel and Tourism Group, represented by Dr Tunde Lawrenson, the group’s Deputy Chairman, said Nigeria must begin to globally noise about its tourism offers and potential.

Ogunbiyi noted that the country’s movie industry, Nollywood, was where it was today because of its awareness drive and information about its rewards and possibilities.

She also emphasised the need to shore up shortages in tourism infrastructure, saying that a sustainable tourism sector could provide sustainable alternative to the country’s oil dependency.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

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