Abuja: Stakeholders in Nigeria’s tourism and infrastructure sectors have signed a strategic pact aimed at repositioning the country as a leading global tourism destination in Africa. The agreement, unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday, outlines a framework for infrastructure-driven tourism development to unlock Nigeria’s cultural, historical, and natural assets for domestic and international visitors.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative, known as the National Infrastructural Tourism Development Initiative (NITDI), brings together public and private sector actors to improve infrastructure, enhance visitor experience, and promote sustainable tourism nationwide. It is also expected to set the stage for activities marking the 2026 World Tourism Day, including the Infrastructural Tourism Development Summit scheduled for Sept. 24 in Abuja.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Executive Director of Tourism Volunteers Network, Mr. Phil Roberts, emphasized that infrastructure r
emains critical to transforming tourism sites into viable destinations. Roberts highlighted that his travel experiences across Nigeria and other countries have shown that deliberate investment in infrastructure is key to building sustainable tourism ecosystems.
He identified the major challenge in Nigeria’s tourism sector as the gap between ‘tourism sites’ and ‘tourism destinations’. ‘A tourism site becomes a destination when supported with infrastructure such as good roads, electricity, housing, internet, food systems, and security,’ he explained. He also disclosed that Abuja has been designated as a ‘Living Infrastructure Tourism City’ to serve as a pilot for nationwide implementation.
Roberts pointed out key development zones within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including Aso Rock as an iconic tourism hub, Jabi Lake as a waterfront destination, and areas like Maitama and Asokoro as luxury tourism centers. He also mentioned Mpape and Katampe for nature tourism and Bwari and AMAC for agro-tourism, w
ith the zoning strategy aimed at maximizing the capital city’s assets to attract both local and foreign tourists.
Citing examples from countries such as China, Dubai, and the United States, Roberts asserted that infrastructure has been effectively leveraged to drive tourism growth and economic expansion. He expressed confidence that Nigeria could become a global destination of choice with the right infrastructure investments.
Roberts noted that access to financing remains a major constraint, limiting investment and growth in the sector. He added that collaboration with key institutions, including the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority, would be critical in driving policy direction and attracting investment. He further stressed the need to integrate tourism into infrastructure and real estate development, proposing that every building should be designed as a potential destination offering unique experiences.
According to him, the NITDI framework seeks to integrate tourism with infrastructure and real es
tate, promote sustainable urban development, create jobs, and attract foreign direct investment. Abuja will serve as the pilot city, with plans to extend the initiative to other states through collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies.
Roberts also announced that the Infrastructural Tourism Development Summit 2026 would be held under the theme: ‘Building Today, Building Tomorrow: Infrastructure for a Stronger Tourism Future’. In his remarks, the Managing Director of Big Homes Nigeria, Mr. Topsy Essien, emphasized the company’s commitment to developing sustainable, tourism-friendly communities. Essien highlighted ongoing projects in Jabi, Dakibiyu, and Durumi as integrated ecosystems combining housing, recreation, healthcare, and commercial services.
He also underscored the importance of adopting indigenous architectural designs that reflect Nigeria’s culture and climate to attract international tourists. Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that with the right policies, investments, and co
llaboration, Nigeria could unlock its tourism potential, reduce capital flight, and emerge as a competitive global destination.