Boosting the Nation’s Economy Through Tourism

By Gloria Ikibah

Tourism is an increasingly vital part of the Nigerian economy, all through the world, tourism brings money to cities and countries, it also provides jobs for the local residents, with additional benefits to the community, state or country.

The present administration has realised that the proceeds accessible in this sector is enormous and inexhaustible. With Nigeria as an ever growing economy, culturally rich and diverse in nature, its tourism industry at the present brings millions of dollars into the economy each year.

Fifty years now into independence from British Colonial rule, Nigeria is gradually developing into a player on the world economic stage. With about 150 million people living in Nigeria, which makes Nigeria the most populous state in Africa and the most populated nation in the whole of black race, tourism is becoming a vital part of the Nigerian economy with the rapid expansion and growth of the hospitality industry, Nigeria service-based economy has rapidly brought about a thriving development, especially in the last 20 years when Nigeria liberalized its markets.

The Jonathan-led administration with its Transformation Agenda through the Ministry of Culture and the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation is currently playing an important role in the promotion of tourism in Nigeria and has set up a National Action Plan for Tourism to develop this sector of the economy.

This plan is set to promote tourism and boost socio-economic growth, increase employment, preserve the nation's heritage and environment and promote international and domestic tourists to visit Nigeria as a way of increasing global tourism. The Federal Government is committed to boosting the tourism industry as part of its strategies to diversify the Nigerian economy.

It cannot be disputed that tourism attracts foreigners and tourists from around the world and also bringing in their money in foreign exchange to the country, making it a huge source of revenue for the nation and boosted employment in this sector.

In 2011, over 2 million tourists visited Nigeria, the various international church crusades and conferences coupled with foreign investors on business tourism make the bulk of the tourists and spent the equivalent of $3.7 million U.S. dollars, and this figure is expected to have risen by over 10 percent in 2012 and the growth also expected to increase.

The government is also offering investors to foreign business travellers who come to Nigeria in large numbers. Many extend their trips, adding more tourist money to the economy. In fact, foreign tourists from all over the world spend more in Nigeria than almost any other country worldwide.

Also with the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of the Report of the Cabinet committee to harmonise the implementation of Nigeria’s new visa policy, the new visa policy will boost tourism, attract targeted Foreign Direct Investment, create unemployment opportunities, attract skilled migrant workers and keep the national boundaries more secured.
this policy provides that the nation issues visa at entry point, for instance if a businessman, a tourist or a business delegation or a government delegation have reason to visit Nigeria at short notice to do business with Nigeria and if by any coincidence Nigeria does not have an embassy in such country, such delegation or group can come to Nigeria and obtain their visas at port of entry particularly at international airports.

Tourists are attracted by Nigeria's cultural diversity, scenery and festivals. Such festivals include the Argungu festival in Kebbi State, Ofala Festival in Eastern Nigeria, Odemimon festival Otuoke, Odi Ogori Ba Uge festival both in Bayelsa state, the Great Osun Osogbo festival, the Egungu festival in western Nigeria to mention a few.

 Each region of Nigeria offers something for foreign visitors, these includes different topography and sites ranging from the Obudu Cattle Ranch, Osun Osogbo Groove, Olumo Rock, Agbokim Water Falls in Calabar, Gurara falls, Ikogosi Spring, Yankari games reserve and a number of beaches and coastal cities.

Looking at other sources of revenue, whether state-run or privately operated, there are many small ideas Nigeria can fine-tune and package for tourism.

For instance, food tourism which would include our traditional dishes and drinks, historical/traditional - artifacts, kingdoms and palaces and other traditional architecture, mosques, churches, museums, government buildings, African ancestral beads/jewelries, and clothes (for traditional events, wedding). Entertainment/theatre which showcases our rich cultural heritage in traditional dance, comedy, plays, native music

The Yankari Game Reserve is a landmark tourist attraction and should be made more conducive so that it can be an option for Nigerians to go there on holiday. It can be turned it into an international tourism site in Nigeria as part of the diversification of the economy.

Not only are foreign tourists travelling to Nigeria, after the awareness created by the NTDC, Nigerians themselves have also started taking more domestic vacations, as well. The country's gradual economic growth has increased its middle class population, contributing the most to domestic travel.

Despite poor electricity, bad roads, civil unrest and a mountain of other issues, Nigeria has the potential for a booming tourism market. From historical tours to exotic beaches to cultural celebrations and festivals, there are tons of things for tourists to do and see in Nigeria.
If Nigeria pays equal attention to its tourism sector as it does to its oil and gas, there would be some real advancement in the nation’s economy. The Nigerian tourism sector would gain momentum which led to the boosting of the nation’s revenue.