Stakeholders in Nigeria’s tourism industry have called for deeper partnerships, sustained investments, and targeted policy reforms to reposition the sector as a catalyst for youth employment, economic growth, and national development.
They spoke at the WelcomeToNigeria Expo 2025 and described the tourism sector as an untapped goldmine with the potential to generate mass employment for youths and foster national unity.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to infrastructure development and institutional linkages that support tourism as a transformative tool.
The event, themed “National Agenda for Tourism Partnership on Infrastructure Development, Institutional Linkages, Growth and Sustainable Development,” brought together government officials, private sector leaders, and development partners to chart a strategic path for the future of Nigeria’s tourism industry.
Musawa underscored the role of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in prioritizing infrastructure across all sectors.
She noted that her Ministry is actively creating tourism corridors, improving destination accessibility, and attracting private capital through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
She said, “Our Ministry is strengthening institutional frameworks and aligning with national and sub-national actors to remove bottlenecks, improve ease of doing business, and harmonize tourism-related policies.
“We are also working with the National Planning Commission and the Federal Executive Council to ensure that tourism features more prominently in national development plans.
“Tourism growth must be intentional, inclusive and innovation-driven. We are committed to supporting tourism MSMEs, investing in human capital development, and embracing digital transformation. New areas such as eco-tourism, cultural festivals, creative experiences, and diaspora tourism present major growth frontiers.
“Through the National Tourism Masterplan and the soon-to-be-launched Tourism Satellite Account, we will generate reliable data, attract more investment, and measure sector performance more effectively.”
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Creative Arts, Jacob Kingsley Ekpe, commended the Expo’s focus on national collaboration and youth engagement.
He commended the commitment of Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, for his active support and investment in the tourism sector.
Ekpe said: “Tourism is part of our daily life, it starts from home, in how we raise our children. Tourism is vast, and while the government has done well, more still needs to be done.
“Governor Otu has not just done enough, he has proven himself as the people’s governor by supporting the creative and tourism industries.”
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, described the Expo as a “landmark platform” to integrate tourism with national planning and development strategies.
He said, “Infrastructure remains the bedrock of tourism viability. From transport networks to heritage preservation and smart digital systems, we must jointly invest in making Nigeria a preferred destination for domestic and international travelers.
“As we pursue growth, we must also protect our heritage, empower host communities, and conserve natural resources. Tourism must not only add to GDP but also uplift lives and protect our planet.”
He highlighted the need for technology-enabled, knowledge-driven systems and stronger institutional linkages across education, finance, and environmental sectors.
