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.
They made call 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, emphasised 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.
“Other countries that are not even half as big or as blessed as Nigeria are thriving on tourism.
“If we leave it to individual efforts, we will get nowhere. But together, we can be stronger. It is the responsibility of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and NIHOTOUR to coordinate the industry — which is why we are calling for this collaboration,” he said.
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 the potential of tourism in Nigeria.
He highlighted the untapped opportunities in religious and medical tourism, describing the sector as a major economic driver capable of addressing unemployment and boosting national revenue.
“There is religious tourism, but we have not tapped into it. We see pastors doing their jobs, but there’s a tourism content in what they do.
“If this country truly understood tourism, no child would be jobless. Tourism is the biggest employer of labour after agriculture, but we are still playing games,” Runsewe stated.
He also criticised the separation of culture from tourism, stressing the need to integrate both sectors for holistic national development.
In his remarks, the President of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), Mr. Okorie Uguru, said 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.”
“The individuals and distinguished Nigerians we are honouring today are among those who built the visibility and growth the industry enjoys. From former Minister of Tourism, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, to Otunba Segun Runsewe and others, their contributions continue to shape the sector,” he said.
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