This post has already been read 279 times!

Tourism industry stakeholders have intensified calls for the restoration of a stand-alone Ministry of Tourism, saying the sector remains one of Nigeria’s most underutilized economic assets despite its immense capacity to generate employment, attract investment and contribute significantly to national economic growth.

The appeal was made during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened in Abuja by the Bring Back Ministry of Tourism Group, where participants urged the Federal Government to separate tourism from the current Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.

The stakeholders argued that Nigeria is missing substantial economic opportunities due to the absence of a dedicated institutional framework focused solely on tourism development.

According to the group, a stand-alone ministry would provide the strategic leadership, policy direction and sector-specific attention required to unlock the industry’s vast economic potential.

Speaking after the meeting, the group maintained that tourism remains a proven economic driver globally, contributing significantly to job creation, foreign direct investment, foreign exchange earnings and infrastructure development in many countries.

The stakeholders noted that Nigeria possesses abundant tourism assets, including cultural heritage sites, ecological attractions, historical landmarks and recreational destinations that remain largely untapped.

They emphasized that with the right policies and investments, the sector could create millions of direct and indirect jobs for Nigerian youths while stimulating growth in hospitality, transportation, entertainment, retail and other related industries.

“The tourism industry has the potential to become a major pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda. With focused leadership and adequate government support, the sector can deliver substantial economic benefits and improve livelihoods across the country,” the stakeholders stated.

The meeting also highlighted tourism’s role in promoting inclusive development and reducing insecurity. Participants observed that several vast and underdeveloped areas across the country could be transformed into thriving tourism hubs capable of generating sustainable economic activities for local communities.

According to the stakeholders, developing such locations into tourist destinations would not only attract visitors and investors but also create employment opportunities, reduce poverty and help address some of the root causes of insecurity.

They therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the National Assembly to urgently consider unbundling the current ministry and restoring a dedicated Ministry of Tourism.

The group argued that a separate ministry would enable government to formulate targeted policies, improve sector coordination, attract greater private-sector participation and position Nigeria to compete more effectively in the global tourism market.

Stakeholders further stressed that tourism offers one of the quickest pathways for expanding non-oil revenue sources and strengthening the nation’s economic resilience amid ongoing efforts to diversify the economy.

They expressed confidence that restoring a stand-alone Ministry of Tourism would signal a renewed commitment to harnessing the sector as a strategic tool for economic growth, job creation and national development.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous appeal to the Federal Government to prioritize tourism as a key economic sector capable of delivering long-term benefits to businesses, investors, communities and the broader Nigerian economy.