Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has called on federal and state governments to prioritise tourism development and strengthen public-private partnerships as a strategy for economic growth and diversification.
Mohammed made the call during an interactive session at “Experience Olumo: Celebrating Heritage, Inspiring Tourism,” held at the Olumo Rock Tourist Complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Describing tourism as a viable alternative source of revenue, Mohammed said the sector could contribute significantly to national development if properly harnessed.
Need for Incentives and Infrastructure
He stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment through incentives that would attract private investment into tourism and the creative industry.
“What we need is for both state and federal governments to give more incentives to investors in tourism and the creative industry. You can never go wrong,” he said.
According to him, tourism growth in Nigeria is heavily dependent on infrastructure, noting that the private sector cannot thrive without adequate government support.
Mohammed lamented the absence of basic tourism infrastructure, including purpose-built event centres capable of hosting large international events.
“As we speak, there is no single purpose-built event centre in Nigeria. Davido plays to 20,000 people at the O2 Arena. Is there anywhere in Nigeria that can take 20,000? The answer is no,” he said.
Leveraging Culture and Festivals
The former minister urged Nigeria to leverage its rich culture and festivals to grow tourism, noting that while the country may lack some natural attractions found elsewhere, it has a unique cultural advantage.
“Tourism is not just about destinations. We can’t compete with East Africa; they have safari. We can’t compete with Southern Africa; they have Kilimanjaro and waterfalls.
“What they don’t have is our culture and festivals. Imagine what the UK would do with an Ojude Oba festival?” he said.
Mohammed also called on the government to deploy new media and technology in promoting tourism and culture, stressing the need for effective management and government ownership of digital platforms to maximise their impact.
He emphasised that sustainable tourism development requires strong collaboration between government and private stakeholders, particularly at the grassroots level. He added that national orientation and tourism promotion should begin at the local government level, enabling communities to take ownership of their cultural assets.
With the right policies, incentives, and partnerships, Mohammed said tourism could generate employment, attract foreign exchange, and project Nigeria positively on the global stage.
Ogun’s Tourism Drive
Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Culture and Tourism, Mr Bola Basibo, said Ogun State is repositioning tourism as a major revenue driver.
He explained that the ongoing revamp of Olumo Rock is part of broader initiatives to transform Ogun into a premier tourism destination.
Basibo recalled that Governor Abiodun had promised in March 2025 to refurbish Olumo Rock, a commitment that has now been fulfilled.
“The governor is determined to make Olumo Rock the foremost tourism site. Beyond rock climbing, discussions about tourism, culture, and history will take place here,” he said.
He highlighted Ogun’s unique cultural assets—such as Ojude Oba, Olumo Rock, and the Lisabi heritage—as factors that set the state apart.
“We are not just talking; we are walking the talk by showcasing our identity and history,” Basibo added.
Call for Private Sector Participation
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority, Mr Ola Awakan, emphasised the importance of private-sector participation in achieving sustainable tourism development.
“We need more private sector involvement. That is the only way to ensure sustainability and consistency in promoting our tourism assets,” Awakan said.
