August 22, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority has reiterated that tourism remains central to the nation’s economic diversification agenda, stressing that the sector offers Nigeria a sustainable path to growth beyond oil.
Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial and Sectoral Retreat of the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, the Director overseeing the Office of the Director-General, NTDA, Mr. Ovie Richard Esewhaye, said tourism is one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy.
Presenting a paper titled “A Bird’s-Eye View of Nigeria’s Tourism Sector and its Contribution to Economic Diversification,” Esewhaye noted that tourism contributes nearly 10 per cent of global GDP and is projected to hit 1.8 billion international arrivals by 2030, a development Nigeria must strategically leverage.
He argued that the nation’s overdependence on oil has left its economy vulnerable, adding that deliberate investments in tourism could unlock jobs, foreign exchange earnings, and rural development.
“Nigeria’s vast but untapped resources provide us with an opportunity to reposition the nation for inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and international competitiveness,” he said.
Esewhaye highlighted Nigeria’s tourism assets, including its 850-kilometre coastline, diverse wildlife, cultural festivals, and natural landmarks such as Zuma Rock, Aso Rock, and Gurara Falls, lamenting that they remain largely underutilised despite their capacity to attract millions of visitors annually.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
