November 30, (THEWILL) — TVC News’ Head of Current Affairs, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, has said Nigeria’s tourism sector will remain uncompetitive unless the government significantly increases investment in infrastructure, security, and long-term policy execution.
Speaking in Abuja at the 2025 Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE), organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Kolade-Otitoju reviewed Nigeria’s tourism performance and concluded that recent efforts have yet to address the fundamental issues limiting the industry. The event carried the theme “National Tourism Investment and Global Partnership.”
He noted that the federal government has introduced policies and reforms in recent years, but said stakeholders widely believe the actions fall short of what is required to unlock the sector’s economic potential. “There is potential, but the country has not done enough to overcome the basic challenges holding back the industry”, he told participants.
Kolade-Otitoju listed poor infrastructure, weak policy coordination, insecurity and inconsistent marketing as key factors affecting the country’s attractiveness to visitors. According to him, insufficient access roads, unstable electricity, and the poor condition of many tourist sites continue to frustrate both operators and travellers.
Using comparative data, he pointed out Nigeria’s weak position on the continent. The country recorded about 1.2 million international arrivals in 2023, far below South Africa’s 8.4 million and Kenya’s 1.95 million. He also referenced African tourism leaders such as Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, which all posted multi-million visitor numbers.
He explained that although tourism contributed 3.6 percent to Nigeria’s GDP in 2022, its revenue per visitor remains one of the lowest among major African markets. He cited smaller countries like The Gambia, Cape Verde and Seychelles, all of which generate higher tourism receipts despite having fewer natural and cultural assets.
Kolade-Otitoju attributed this gap to what he described as “underdeveloped tourism products,” arguing that Nigeria has not transformed many of its natural sites into functional attractions. He listed the Mandara Mountains, Ogbunike Caves, Idanre Hills, Gurara Waterfalls and Zuma Rock as examples of locations that remain largely underexposed and poorly serviced.
He traced the sector’s development challenges to historical policy shifts, including repeated restructuring of tourism-related ministries. Since 1999, the ministry has undergone several mergers and name changes, which he said contributed to weak continuity and diluted focus.
On current obstacles, he highlighted insecurity as a major deterrent for international travellers, noting that several popular sites are in regions where safety remains uncertain. He added that inconsistent visa policies, flight disruptions and high travel costs further complicate access for visitors.
Despite the concerns, Kolade-Otitoju acknowledged that domestic tourism is growing, driven mainly by young Nigerians exploring destinations within the country. However, he warned that without improvement in basic infrastructure and site management, domestic gains may not translate into sustainable national growth.
He said several government-led initiatives — including rehabilitation of federal tourism sites and state-level projects — are underway, but argued that progress has been slow and uneven. In his assessment, Nigeria will need sustained capital investment, better coordination between agencies and more reliable execution to position tourism as a viable economic contributor.
Kolade-Otitoju maintained that until these structural issues are addressed, Nigeria will continue to lag behind other African tourism markets despite its cultural diversity and natural landscapes.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
