Phil Roberts, a public affairs analyst and tourism advocate, has blamed poor collaboration between government and private sector players for Nigeria's stagnant tourism sector. He made the remarks at a tourism event held on Tuesday.
Roberts pointed out that Nigeria hasn't fully tapped into public-private partnerships to develop its tourism potential. According to him, the country confuses "tourism sites" with "tourism destinations."
He argued that strategic partnerships between both sectors would position Nigeria as Africa's leading tourism hub. Key development zones in Abuja's master plan offer enormous opportunity for growth, he noted.
These zones include Aso Rock, Jabi Lake, Maitama, Asokoro, Mpape, Katampe, Bwari, and the Abuja Municipal Area Council. Other parts of the country also possess untapped potential, Roberts added.
"A tourism site remains stagnant, but it becomes a destination when supported with good infrastructure, roads, electricity, housing, internet, food systems, and security," he explained. "We don't need to take our money abroad for tourism experiences."
Roberts stressed that with proper infrastructure, Nigeria can become a world-class destination. "Tourism remains the biggest marketing tool for any country," he noted.
Nations use tourism to promote themselves globally, yet Nigeria often neglects those responsible for this crucial work, he said. This oversight undermines the sector's growth prospects.
Topsy Essien, a Nigerian investor, also weighed in on the discussion. He believes developing sustainable, tourism-friendly communities is vital to unlocking the sector's economic potential.
Nigeria's tourism sector is currently valued at approximately $17.3 billion as of the first quarter of 2026. Experts say this figure could rise significantly with proper investment and coordination.
