Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has called on the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) to lead a tourism revolution that could transform the country’s economy, reduce poverty and create millions of jobs, insisting that Nigeria’s tourism potential is far greater than its dependence on oil.
Speaking at the 10th Annual General Meeting of NATOP in Lagos on Thursday, Onyema said the country’s overreliance on oil since independence had become an “albatross” and urged both government and the private sector to harness Nigeria’s vast tourism assets.
“A lot of people mistake NATOP with the travel agencies and travel agents. I think you represent a different sector entirely. The beginning of tourism or the nation’s success in tourism will begin and end with NATOP. It depends on the seriousness you put into it,” he said.
The Air Peace chairman noted that countries without natural resources such as oil have built thriving economies through tourism and other industries.
“Singapore does not have oil. Singapore can feed Nigeria with its population of over 230 million people for 20 years nonstop with what they get from tourism and other industries. But Nigeria has been so dependent on oil, and oil has become an albatross for this nation,” he stated.
According to Onyema, Nigeria possesses enormous untapped tourism assets that, if properly developed, could eclipse revenues from crude oil.
“If this country can harness its tourism potentials, oil will be a non-starter,” he said, adding that tourism remains one of the most effective sectors for addressing unemployment and poverty.
“We are talking about insecurity. We are talking about poverty. But tourism is one sector that, if it is well promoted by both government and the private sector, will go a long way to wipe out poverty and create job opportunities for the downtrodden.”
Onyema also threw his weight behind the Federal Government’s coastal highway project linking Lagos to Calabar, describing it as one of the most impactful infrastructure initiatives of the current administration.
“One of the best things this regime has done is the development of that coastal highway. I call on every Nigerian to support it because it’s going to create a lot of job opportunities and improve tourism,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with Caribbean nations that rely heavily on tourism, Onyema said Nigeria’s extensive Atlantic coastline presents enormous opportunities for beach and leisure tourism.
“All the Caribbean nations, they don’t have oil. All they have are waters, and that’s what they sell. Look at Nigeria with a sprawling geography of Atlantic Ocean from Lagos to Akwa Ibom, bigger than all the Caribbean nations put together, and we cannot assess tourism using that.”
The airline boss further highlighted Nigeria’s cultural diversity as one of its greatest tourism assets, noting that the country is home to 378 ethnic nationalities, each with unique traditions and festivals.
“Nigeria is a country of 378 ethnic nationalities. It means 378 different diverse cultures. That is tourism for you,” he said.
He specifically identified the famous Durbar Festival in Northern Nigeria as a tourism product that could attract visitors from around the world if properly marketed.
“Do you know that you can sell the Durbar Festival as tour operators? Nigeria should be intentional in promoting that festival. When they do carnivals in the Caribbean, all of us rush there, but our own festivals and carnivals are neglected.”
Onyema also suggested developing the palaces of traditional rulers, particularly those of northern emirs, into cultural tourism attractions.
“If government and the private sector can invest in the development of those palaces, they will become money spinners and foreign exchange earners for the country. Foreigners will pay to come and watch culture being exhibited and understand how traditional administration works.”
He lamented that many Nigerians are unfamiliar with the country’s rich cultural heritage and the numerous festivals held across its ethnic groups.
“There are so many cultural events happening in all these ethnic nationalities that make up this country, and people don’t know the dates and times of those events. We need to develop and promote them.”
The Air Peace chairman stressed the need for stronger public-private sector collaboration to unlock the country’s tourism potential and challenged NATOP to take the lead in advocating for the sector.
“There should be a public-private sector partnership to develop tourism in Nigeria. It is one area that is yet untapped; it is very green. I look up to NATOP to be the drivers of this programme.
“Starting today, start visiting the private sector, start visiting the government, involve the National Heritage Agency and let us whip it up. Let us use our diversity for good for once. We can explore it and make something out of it, better than oil.”
His remarks come amid growing calls for Nigeria to diversify its economy and leverage tourism as a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings and inclusive economic growth.
