The Head of TVC News Current Affairs Unit, Mr. Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, has urged the Nigerian government to increase investment in the nation’s tourism sector. He made this call while delivering the keynote lecture at the 2025 Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) in Abuja. The event was organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) with the theme “National Tourism Investment and Global Partnership” and the sub-theme “Investing in Nigeria’s Tourism Future.”
Kolade-Otitoju noted that although recent government efforts suggest progress, they remain inadequate to fully unlock the country’s vast tourism potential. According to him, stakeholders widely agree that Nigeria needs deeper commitments in the areas of infrastructure, security, and consistent, well-rounded policy implementation to overcome existing obstacles.
He explained that Nigeria’s tourism sector holds enormous potential but is weighed down by poor infrastructure, weak marketing structures, underdeveloped tourism products, and widespread insecurity. These issues, he said, discourage both foreign and domestic tourists and contribute to the country’s low international visitor numbers when compared with nations like Kenya and South Africa. Despite this, he noted a rise in domestic tourism, especially among young and middle-class Nigerians.
Citing economic indicators, Kolade-Otitoju stated that tourism contributed 3.6% to Nigeria’s GDP in 2022, but the country still falls behind other African nations in per capita tourism revenue. This is despite being home to over 1,000 annual festivals, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and 14 sites on the tentative list, as well as rich cultural expressions in music, fashion, and cuisine.
He highlighted that destinations such as Obudu Mountain Resort, Ikogosi Warm Spring, and the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove continue to record increasing visits from domestic travellers. He added that tourism remains a viable pathway for economic diversification away from oil, but the sector cannot grow without addressing persistent challenges.
The current affairs analyst stressed that insecurity, inadequate infrastructure—including poor road networks—and limited hotel facilities remain major barriers to attracting international tourists. He also pointed to issues of corruption and poor policy execution as reasons why Nigeria continues to underperform in tourism development.
Kolade-Otitoju recalled the evolution of Nigeria’s tourism administration dating back to 1999, noting that despite the creation and restructuring of various tourism-related ministries, the sector has not delivered on its full promise. He said over-reliance on oil revenue diverted attention from tourism and hindered long-term investment.
Comparing Nigeria with other African countries, he stated that Nigeria attracted about 1.2 million international visitors in 2023, far below South Africa’s 8.4 million and Kenya’s 1.95 million. He added that smaller nations like The Gambia, Cape Verde, and Seychelles generate higher tourism export income despite having fewer natural and cultural assets.
