Nigeria Risks Losing $8.2 Billion and 2.6 Million Jobs in Tourism by 2032 Amid Poor Sector Performance

Nigeria stands to forfeit an estimated $8.2 billion in tourism revenue and 2.6 million potential jobs by 2032 if the country fails to reverse the sharp decline in its international tourism appeal. Despite having over 1,000 tourist sites, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the country is lagging behind other African nations in tourism development due to a combination of security challenges, infrastructure deficits, economic instability, and poor sectoral governance.

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According to Africa Facts Zone, Nigeria recorded only 1.2 million international tourists in 2023, a dramatic drop from 2.01 million in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic. In stark contrast, Morocco welcomed 17.4 million visitors in 2024 and earned a record $11 billion in tourism revenue, becoming Africa’s leading destination, followed by Egypt with 15.7 million visitors.

Despite its abundant natural, cultural, and historical assets, including 65 national monuments and iconic destinations such as the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa State and Osun Osogbo Grove, Nigeria accounts for less than 3% of tourist visits to Africa annually, according to the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN).

Tourism and travel expert Gbemi Akinboro, CEO of Scribes Global Services, says Nigeria risks missing optimistic projections. According to Statista, tourism in Nigeria could generate $3.77 billion in 2025, with an expected annual growth rate of 10.6%, potentially reaching $5.64 billion by 2029. However, Akinboro warned that current realities such as terrorism, kidnappings, bad roads, poor transport networks, and lack of essential services could derail these figures.

“Most of our tourist sites are not accessible, and even when tourists do arrive, their experiences are poor due to insecurity and the lack of supporting infrastructure,” he said.

Why Tourists Are Avoiding Nigeria

The situation on ground reveals multiple systemic failures that repel both domestic and international tourists. These include:

• Security issues: Persistent terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings create a hostile environment for visitors.
• Poor infrastructure: Many sites lack good roads, accommodations, or transportation access.
• Inept marketing: Nigeria’s tourism potential remains largely unknown globally due to ineffective promotional strategies.
• Lack of data: There is little reliable data on inbound tourism to shape policy or attract foreign investment.
• Policy inconsistency: The recent scrapping of the Ministry of Tourism by the Federal Government has cast further doubt on the sector’s importance.

Ambassador Ikechi Uko, a tourism promoter, stated that foreigners come to Nigeria only for tourism or business, but accurate data on these categories is missing. “The absence of reliable statistics and professional leadership has stunted the industry’s ability to grow,” he said.

Foreign Airlines, But No Foreign Tourists

According to a frequent flier quoted by Daily Independent, 99% of passengers on Nigeria’s Europe and American routes are Nigerians. This statistic suggests that foreigners are not choosing Nigeria as a leisure or business destination despite government claims of attracting global interest.

“There’s media noise but no concrete results. Wike is working as Minister of FCT, the President is travelling, but where are the foreign visitors?” the source asked.

Domestic Tourism Rising, But Not Enough

While domestic tourism has shown growth—particularly in Lagos and Calabar, where hospitality is booming—the broader tourism landscape remains underdeveloped. Akinboro said more Nigerians are exploring local destinations, prompting growth in urban hospitality sectors, but rural and adventure tourism is still left behind.

“Lagos’ ‘Detty December’ reflects diaspora-driven tourism, but this isn’t enough to compensate for Nigeria’s poor international image,” Uko noted.

Call for Urgent Action

Industry leaders and stakeholders are urging the Federal Government to:

• Simplify visa processes through automation.
• Invest in road and air infrastructure connecting tourist sites.
• Partner with international organisations for training and funding.
• Promote Nigeria at international expos and tourism fairs.
• Appoint experienced tourism professionals to leadership roles.

Karim Rabo, another travel expert, pointed out that Nigerian tour operators are more focused on outbound tourism—helping Nigerians travel abroad—than on attracting inbound tourists.

“We need to reverse this trend and start showcasing Nigeria’s potential to the world,” Rabo said.

Government Promises and Outlook

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recently launched an e-visa platform, with a focus on facilitating tourist entries. A source at NIS said the government was actively working on improving foreign tourism figures in the next 12 months.

But critics like Bankole Bernard, GMD of Finchglow Holdings, argue that success will require collaborative efforts between airlines, tour operators, and government. Without structured incentives and a national tourism roadmap, the sector may continue to underperform.

 A Sector at the Crossroads

Nigeria stands at a critical point where decisive reforms can either rescue the tourism sector or doom it to remain a missed opportunity. The estimated $8.2 billion revenue and 2.6 million jobs by 2032 are within reach—but only if the country tackles insecurity, infrastructure decay, and policy stagnation with urgency and resolve.