Nigeria’s tourism industry is facing a deepening skills and professionalism crisis that could derail its economic potential unless urgent certification and digital reforms are implemented, experts warned at a conference in Lagos.
The concern dominated discussions at the Conference and Awards Ceremony of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), themed “The Role of International Hospitality Brands in the Growth of Nigerian Tourism and Economy.”
Stakeholders agreed that despite vast opportunities, weak training systems, poor standards, and limited collaboration continue to hinder the sector’s growth.
Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade, said the industry’s struggle for sustainability stems from neglecting human capital development.
“Over the years, we invested in structures but not in people. Businesses collapse because there are no skilled, certified professionals to sustain them,” he said, urging mandatory certification and retraining to align with global standards.
ANJET President, Mr. Okorie Uguru, highlighted the critical role of travel journalists as the “institutional memory” of Nigeria’s tourism, tracing its evolution since the 1960s.
He urged media professionals to embrace digital storytelling and social media tools to amplify Nigeria’s tourism image globally, noting that the event also celebrated pioneers who have shaped the sector over four decades.
Among the honourees were Otunba Segun Runsewe, Amb. Franklin Ogbuewu, Jemi Alade, Abimbola Bode-Thomas, Olanwale Akinboboye, and Ganiyu Balogun. Runsewe, former DG of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), decried the neglect of tourism despite being the world’s second-largest employer after agriculture.
“Tourism can employ millions, yet it remains undervalued because we fail to understand its economic depth,” he said.
Former Minister of Tourism and Culture, Amb. Franklin Ogbuewu, stressed that Nigeria’s cultural heritage must be fully integrated into tourism for the sector to thrive. “Culture is the soul of tourism. If we don’t sell culture as a product, there’s little to attract foreign visitors,” he warned.
Representing the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mrs. Alice Akinsola reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to innovation, inclusiveness, and destination marketing.
The conference ended with a call for certification, training, and digital reforms to reposition tourism as a key driver of Nigeria’s non-oil economy.
Reporting by Chioma Ezike