Former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, has called for increased private-sector investment in tourism, saying the industry has the potential to generate employment and harness the creativity of Nigerians.
Akinbile-Yussuf made the call while receiving an award at the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) Conference and Awards in Lagos, where discussions focused on the theme, “Nigerian Tourism Industry and Current Administration’s Immigration Reforms.”
She stressed that tourism could contribute significantly to employment generation if the private sector received the necessary support to develop its potential.
According to her, the role of government should be to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, rather than directly engaging in commercial activities.
“I believe government has no hand in business, but we must create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, and they are the employers of labour,” she said.
The former commissioner argued that Nigeria’s tourism resources could provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and job creation, reducing the pressure on citizens to seek paid employment.
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“Tourism is good. If we invest in tourism, I don’t think there should be anything like we’re looking for jobs,” she added.
She described Nigerians as creative and resilient, noting that these qualities could be better harnessed through investment in tourism and the development of opportunities across the sector.
Reflecting on her time in office, Akinbile-Yussuf said she worked with industry stakeholders, including the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), to discuss ways of advancing the industry.
She explained that although she was new to the tourism sector when she assumed office, she was willing to learn from professionals and experienced operators to understand the industry’s needs and identify ways to move it forward.
The former commissioner also emphasised the importance of sustained engagement between tourism practitioners and public officials, urging government representatives and legislators to participate more actively in industry discussions.
She expressed disappointment over the absence of government officials from the conference, particularly representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and legislators who could help address concerns raised by industry stakeholders.
According to her, such gatherings provide an opportunity for policymakers to hear directly from tourism operators, understand their challenges and consider practical measures to support the sector.
She acknowledged that government might not be able to address every industry demand immediately but maintained that regular engagement would help identify areas where support and policy intervention were needed.
Akinbile-Yussuf’s remarks highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in unlocking tourism’s economic potential, particularly in employment generation, entrepreneurship and the development of Nigeria’s tourism offerings
