Lagos: Stakeholders in Nigeria’s tourism industry have called for stronger collaboration between the media and the hospitality sectors to enhance the country’s image and position it as a leading tourism destination in Africa.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the call was made during the annual Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) Conference and Awards Ceremony, held at the Sheraton Hotel Lagos, with the theme ‘The Role of International Hospitality Brands in the Growth of Nigerian Tourism and Economy.’
In his keynote address, the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Abisoye Fagade, emphasized the need to build a skilled workforce that meets global standards. He advocated stronger synergy between the media and hospitality sectors, urging a shift in mindset towards continuous learning and professionalism. He stated that other countries, less endowed than Nigeria, are thriving on tourism, and emphasized the importance of collective efforts coordinated by the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and NIHOTOUR.
One of the awardees, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, a veteran in the industry and former Director-General of both the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (now NTDA) and the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), lamented the absence of concrete action despite years of discussions on Nigeria’s tourism potential. He highlighted untapped opportunities in religious and medical tourism, describing the sector as a major economic driver capable of addressing unemployment and boosting national revenue.
Runsewe criticized the separation of culture from tourism, stressing the need to integrate both sectors for holistic national development. He noted that understanding tourism’s potential could significantly reduce joblessness, as tourism is the biggest employer of labor after agriculture.
In his remarks, the President of ANJET, Mr. Okorie Uguru, emphasized that travel journalists in Nigeria are not passive observers but active contributors to the industry’s growth and development. He explained that the conference and awards served as both a reflection on Nigeria’s tourism journey and a celebration of individuals who have significantly advanced the sector over the past four decades.
Mr. Uguru described ANJET members as ‘holders of institutional memories and archivists’ of the Nigerian tourism industry. The event was a resounding success, attracting key industry stakeholders, government officials, and notable individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s tourism sector.