I am Dr. Charles Apoki, and today, I want to discuss how Nigeria can make tourism a sustainable income source, especially as the world gradually moves away from oil. I’ve traveled across various countries recently, and it’s remarkable how much they’re making from tourism. Nigeria has untapped potential, but if we want tourism to thrive, we need to focus on essential elements that attract and retain visitors.
Understanding Tourism’s Potential
Tourism, at its core, involves people traveling for sightseeing, usually outside their locality, and several industries benefit directly from it—transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, entertainment, and local products. When a big event happens, like a football match in Barcelona, airports and hotels are flooded with visitors. Similarly, when I visited Romania, buses were packed with tourists visiting local monasteries. Imagine the impact on our local economy if we could create such demand in Nigeria.
Key Factors to Develop Nigerian Tourism
To unlock Nigeria’s tourism potential, here are some areas we must prioritize:
Transportation and Accessibility: Reliable and accessible transportation is critical. We have two airports in Delta State alone, providing a foundation to build on for tourism accessibility. Improved transportation infrastructure can ensure visitors reach destinations with ease.
Marketing and Unique Experiences: People visit new places to have unique experiences. For instance, I visited La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, an uncompleted cathedral that has been under construction for over 100 years. It attracts tourists from around the world, each paying around €59 (about 40,000 naira) to enter. This shows that with the right marketing, even “incomplete” projects can be a source of attraction. Similarly, we have distinct cultural elements, such as the historic Igbo house on a single pillar and the Obi of Agbor’s palace. Properly marketed, these attractions could bring in substantial revenue.
Showcasing Local Products and Food: Every region has unique crafts and foods that can be promoted to tourists. For example, certain communities in Delta State have unique pottery, while other areas are known for their distinct dishes. Establishing an outlet to showcase and sell these products to tourists would provide income for local communities and increase Nigeria’s visibility.
Festivals: Festivals have a way of drawing crowds. From the ancient masquerade festivals to cultural dances, Nigeria has many exciting festivals that could become significant tourist attractions. With careful planning and promotion, we could draw international visitors who want to experience these celebrations.
Lessons from Other Nations
Countries that rely on tourism have invested heavily in security and orderliness to make tourists feel safe. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for example, people walk the streets with visible displays of wealth without fear. If Nigeria can create such an environment, it will inspire confidence in potential visitors.
Orderliness and cleanliness are also vital. We can’t have a successful tourism industry if public spaces are chaotic and dirty. Unfortunately, we sometimes become desensitized to disorder, but tourists are not. Establishing order in public spaces and promoting clean, well-maintained facilities will make Nigeria more appealing.
Diversifying Beyond Oil
It’s time we face a hard truth: the world is shifting away from fossil fuels, and Nigeria must prepare for a future less dependent on oil. Oil has brought what economists call “Dutch disease,” where a country becomes overly reliant on one resource, neglecting other sectors like agriculture. This dependence also breeds conflict, as seen in many resource-rich countries.
If we want a sustainable economic future, we need to think like Dubai, a city preparing for a post-oil era by investing heavily in tourism and other industries. Nigeria must focus on our natural beauty, cultural heritage, and vibrant traditions to attract global visitors.
A Call to Action
Those who travel abroad and witness the well-organized, clean, and efficient tourism systems in other countries need to help implement similar standards back home. We must hold ourselves accountable and take action rather than merely enjoying the best of what other nations offer while neglecting our homeland.
If we come together to address security, cleanliness, and investment in tourism, Nigeria has the potential to become a top tourist destination, contributing significantly to our economy. I believe we can achieve this with commitment and cooperation from every sector.
I am Dr. Charles Apoki, and I encourage us all to make tourism a pillar of sustainable income for Nigeria’s future
