Experts in Nigeria’s tourism industry have said the country’s vast tourism potential remains largely untapped despite projections that the sector could contribute N11.2 trillion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025.
They made the observation on Friday at the 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Operators (NATOP) in Lagos. The meeting was themed, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential: Strengthening Tour Operators for Sustainable Destination Development.”
Chairman of NATOP’s Board of Trustees, Nkereuwem Onung, called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, tour operators and other stakeholders to unlock the country’s tourism potential and position Nigeria as a competitive global destination.
He expressed concern that although global tourism is recovering strongly, Nigeria has not benefited from the growth recorded across Africa.
According to Onung, international tourist arrivals exceeded 1.1 billion in the first nine months of 2025, with Africa recording a 10 per cent increase and the Asia-Pacific region growing by eight per cent. He noted that Nigeria was missing from the list of African countries driving the continent’s tourism growth.
He said projections by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) indicate that tourism could contribute N11.2 trillion to Nigeria’s economy in 2025, up from N10.9 trillion in 2024, yet the sector still accounts for less than three per cent of the country’s GDP.
Onung attributed the gap between Nigeria’s tourism potential and its actual performance to poor coordination and fragmentation within the industry.
In her welcome address, NATOP President, Bolaji Mustapha, also called for stronger institutions, strategic partnerships and greater innovation to unlock Nigeria’s tourism opportunities.
She said developing tourism destinations sustainably would help position Nigeria as a leading global destination but stressed that this would require empowered tour operators, improved collaboration and long-term strategies.
Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, urged stakeholders to embrace professionalism, digital transformation and innovative tourism products.
Represented by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Films and Video Censors Board, Bukola Agbamiloja, the commissioner said Nigeria’s tourism potential could only translate into economic benefits if destinations were properly developed, professionally packaged, effectively marketed and efficiently managed.
She described tour operators as a vital link between tourism destinations and visitors, noting that they play a key role in turning attractions into memorable experiences while supporting economic activities across the tourism value chain.
Benson-Awoyinka added that Lagos State had continued to invest in tourism and cultural infrastructure, including the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Johnson Jakande Tinubu (JJT) Park, heritage sites in Badagry and the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Industrial Leather Hub in Mushin, to strengthen the state’s tourism offerings.
