During the Naija7Wonders Zoom Conference 3.0, Olugbenga Sunday, CEO of Tojum Hospitality Lagos, spotlighted the critical challenges facing Nigeria’s festival tourism and laid out a compelling blueprint for growth.
Sunday pointed out that while Nigeria boasts numerous colorful festivals—such as Ojude Oba, Calabar Carnival, and Twins Festival—their full potential remains untapped due to infrastructural shortcomings. “Most festivals only showcase the last day’s event, missing out on the five-day activities that could generate significant economic impact,” he explained.
He stressed that accommodation remains a major hurdle. Many tourists are forced to travel long distances or stay outside the host communities because of limited hotel options. “We need to reintroduce and promote community-based accommodation like Airbnb, where locals can host visitors in their spare rooms,” Sunday urged. “This not only provides affordable options but also empowers local communities.”
Beyond accommodation, Sunday called for the implementation of better crowd management and safety protocols. “Most festivals lack safety signage and crowd control measures, which could lead to accidents. We must prioritize crowd safety as part of our festival planning,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of hygiene standards, especially concerning food safety. With thousands gathering, the risk of food poisoning increases if vendors are not properly regulated. “We need to educate food vendors on hygiene and safety to protect our guests,” he stated.
Furthermore, Sunday advocated for an organized review system, utilizing QR codes to gather feedback from festival attendees. “Reviews will help us understand what works and what doesn’t, guiding improvements for future events,” he said.
Closing his address, Sunday called on Nigeria’s tourism stakeholders to adopt a holistic approach—integrating data collection, community engagement, safety, and hygiene—to position Nigerian festivals as world-class attractions that can generate sustainable economic growth.
