The Chancellor of Umara Musa Yar’Adua University, Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Ida, has called for the development of a 10-year tourism transformation roadmap to accelerate the growth and promotion of Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Ida made the call while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the ninth edition of the Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exposition (NTIFE) 2026 and the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in Abuja.
He said the proposed roadmap should include the implementation of the National Tourism Roadmap, establishment of a National Tourism Marketing Council, creation of a Tourism Development Fund (TDF), and other strategic measures aimed at repositioning the industry.
“We must act promptly and decisively,” Ida said, stressing that Nigeria must move beyond years of discussing tourism potential and focus on practical actions to unlock the sector’s economic value.
Speaking on the theme of NTIFE 2026, “Tourism Transformation Through Collaboration, Policy Alignment, and Investment,” the former federal Permanent Secretary said Nigeria’s tourism sector has suffered from weak coordination, inconsistent policy implementation and a lack of deliberate investment.
Ida, who is also the proprietor of Bristol Palace Hotel, said his recommendations were based on his experience as a public servant and a businessman with more than two decades of involvement in the sector.
He argued that tourism has often been treated as an afterthought rather than a major revenue-generating industry, despite its potential to create jobs and attract investment.
The senator said Nigeria needs a clear transformation strategy with measurable targets covering hotel capacity, tourist arrivals, contribution to gross domestic product and employment generation.
He recommended the creation of a Tourism Investment One-Stop Shop at federal and state levels to simplify investment processes and attract more private sector participation.
Ida also urged the National Assembly and state legislatures to collaborate with the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority to establish a harmonised Tourism Development Levy that would provide sustainable funding for the industry.
Highlighting the importance of financing, he proposed the creation of a Nigeria Tourism Development Fund with an initial target of N500 billion in seed capital.
According to him, the fund could be managed by the Bank of Industry in partnership with state governments to support the development of hotels, resorts, conference centres and cultural infrastructure.
Ida said tourism investors also require stronger incentives, including Pioneer Status benefits, duty waivers on tourism equipment, five-year tax holidays and secure land ownership structures.
He identified hospitality as the backbone of tourism development, noting that hotels, restaurants and serviced apartments determine visitors’ experiences and the success of tourism initiatives.
The senator further called for urgent improvements in infrastructure, including electricity supply, water, roads and security around tourism destinations.
He also stressed the need to develop skilled manpower by strengthening the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and partnering with private operators to provide international-standard training.
Ida said Nigeria could learn from sectors such as private aviation, Nollywood and fintech, where government support and private sector investment helped create globally recognised industries.
He concluded that tourism transformation requires collaboration, policy consistency and long-term investment, adding that Nigeria already possesses the resources, market and people needed to build a competitive tourism industry.
