By Priscilla Osaje/ Kelu Musa
Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy(FMACCE), has called on stakeholders to collaborate to unlock enormous potentials of sports tourism in Nigeria.
Musawa made the call at the opening of the maiden edition of the National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition (NASTOCE), organised by Ringo Sport Club in Abuja on Tuesday.
The theme of the conference, “Leveraging on the Inter-Section between Multi-Sectoral MDAs to Promote Sports Tourism in Nigeria aimed at advancing sports tourism.
The minister, who was represented by Mr Sunday Bisong, Deputy Director, Domestic Tourism Promotion Department of the ministry, commended the organisers for conceptualising the timely and strategic platform.
According to her, the conference is aimed at advancing sports tourism as a viable driver of economic growth, national unity, youth empowerment and sustainable development in Nigeria.
She said , the theme of the conference was to promote sports tourism in Nigeria, and it reflected the great recognition that the sector cannot thrive in isolation.
Musawa said that it requires coordinated institutional support, integrated policy frameworks, infrastructure development, strategy marketing, private sector participation and inter-agency collaboration.
“Globally, sports tourism has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry that significantly contributes to GDP growth, employment generation, destination branding, infrastructure development and international visibility.
“Nations across the world are intentionally investing in sporting events, sports infrastructure, talent development and tourism experiences that attract visitors and stimulate economic activities.
“Nigeria, blessed with youth population, rich cultural diversity, sporting talents, favourable climate and vibrant creative industry, possesses all the ingredients required to become a leading sports tourism destination in Africa,” she said.
The minister said t Nigeria has the capacity to host regional and international sporting events, capable of attracting tourists, investors, media attention and global partnerships.
She said that sports now encompasses travel and sporting events, training camps, recreational sports, adventure tourism, wellness tourism, sports heritage, cultural festivals linked to sporting activities and sports business exhibitions.
“This broad value chain presents enormous opportunities for job creation and enterprise development.
” President Bola Tinubu`s administration remains committed to diversifying the Nigerian economy through non-oil sectors, including tourism, culture, sports and the creative economy.
“As part of this vision, FMACTCE is actively working to reposition Nigeria’s tourism industry as a major contributor to national development, ” she added.
Hannatu emphasised that progress in sports tourism required strong synergy among key MDAs and stakeholders.
According to her, no institution can independently build a travelling sports tourism ecosystem, adding that deepening collaboration across sectors is a welcome development.
“Our local leagues, marathons, traditional wrestling festivals, boat regattas, golf tournaments, school sports festivals, among others, should be internationally designed to stimulate travel, hospitality patronage and cultural exchange,” she said.
The minister urged stakeholders to prioritise the development and maintenance of world-class sporting infrastructure capable of hosting international competitions.
She said that beyond infrastructure, capacity building for sports tourism professionals, tour operators, event managers, hospitality providers and sports marketers was crucial.
“Equally important is the need to leverage technology, digital marketing and creative storytelling to position Nigeria positively on the global stage.
” Our sports icons, entertainers, cultural ambassadors and creative talents can become powerful drivers of destination promotion.
“The economic impacts of sports tourism cannot be overstated; every major sporting event creates opportunities for airlines, hotels, restaurants, transport operators, artisans, and others,” she noted.
She encouraged stakeholders to focus on practical solutions and sustainable partnerships during deliberation.
“We must move beyond conversations to implementation-driven strategies that will strengthen policy coordination, improve infrastructure, attract investment and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in global sports tourism markets,“ she said.
She reaffirmed her ministry`s commitment to working collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders to advance sports tourism development in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Mallam Ahmed Sule, President, Ringo Sport Club, said sports and tourism were cohabitating to enhance and empower the growth of the economy.
Sule, who is the convener of the event, said that countries have enhanced the potential that exists between sports and tourism, and this has positively impacted their economy.
” I feel that Nigeria should not be left behind when we have the synergy to explore and enhance the right way that can definitely boost our economy.
”In order to impact the socio-economic development of the country, the idea of the National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition (NASTOCE) came about,” he said.
Sule said stakeholders have an important role to play by collaborating and cohabiting to grow Nigeria’s economy through sports and tourism. (NAN)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
