RETHINKING TOURISM: Private Sector Urged to Take the Lead in Nigeria’s Eco and Domestic Tourism Future
Maryam Aminu
As the countdown begins to the much-anticipated Domestic and Eco-Tourism Conference this July, the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee and Managing Consultant of Everything Hospitality, Obinna Ugochukwu Alexander has called for a bold rethink of how Nigeria approaches tourism starting with a shift in control from government to the private sector.
Speaking ahead of the conference, he emphasized that one of the most critical challenges the sector faces is mismanagement. “If I could change one thing about the domestic and eco-tourism sector, it would be how poorly it’s been managed,” he stated. “We need to professionalize our approach and let the private sector, which is better equipped to drive growth and innovation, take the lead.”
One of the key themes he advanced was the need to move beyond reliance on international bodies like UNESCO. According to him, “We’re always looking to UNESCO for funding or recognition, but the real development has to start here with us. Our communities, our investors, and our strategies.”
He praised Yobe State as an example of untapped potential in domestic tourism. “Yobe is one of the most beautiful tourism destinations I’ve seen,” he said, commending the efforts of state governments that are actively investing in their local tourism infrastructure. “We need more states to see the value in developing their tourism assets.”
In addressing eco-tourism specifically, he argued that profitability and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. “Eco-tourism can be a thriving business if done right and that means involving the communities where these sites are located. Every tourism site exists within a community, and they must not be left out of the conversation.”
He also stressed the need for policy reform and infrastructure improvements including better access roads, digital platforms for booking and marketing, and eco-conscious hospitality training for workers.
The CEO concluded with a bold call to action: “Domestic tourism is not just about leisure it’s about identity, opportunity, and national growth. We have everything we need; we just need to manage it better and give the right people the tools to succeed.”
