Tourism Can Rival Oil with Right Policies, Investment, Says Senator Ida

….Nigeria must move from tourism rhetoric to action
ABUJA — Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Ida, has called for the immediate implementation of a 10-year Tourism Transformation Roadmap, describing it as critical to unlocking Nigeria’s vast tourism potential and repositioning the sector as a major contributor to national economic growth.
The former Permanent Secretary also advocated the establishment of a National Tourism Marketing Council and a Tourism Development Fund (TDF), among other reforms, to drive investment, improve competitiveness and ensure the sustainable development of the industry.
Ida made the call while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the ninth Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2026 and the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Tourism Transformation Through Collaboration, Policy Alignment and Investment,” the tourism investor urged governments at all levels and industry stakeholders to act with urgency in implementing long-standing reforms.
“We must act promptly and decisively. For decades, we have talked about tourism as the next big thing after oil. Today, we must move from talk to action. The world is moving, and tourists are making choices every day on where to spend their money and their holidays,” he said.
Drawing from his experience as a former senior public servant and hospitality entrepreneur, the proprietor of Bristol Palace Hotel Group lamented that Nigeria’s tourism industry has remained underdeveloped because of weak policy implementation, fragmented institutional coordination and inadequate investment.
According to him, despite the country’s abundant cultural, historical and natural attractions, tourism has continued to be treated as an afterthought rather than a strategic economic sector capable of generating jobs, foreign exchange and inclusive growth.
To reverse the trend, Ida proposed the implementation of a 10-year Tourism Transformation Roadmap with measurable targets for international tourist arrivals, hotel room capacity, tourism’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment generation.
He also urged the Federal Government to establish a Tourism Investment One-Stop Shop at both national and state levels to simplify investment procedures and improve the ease of doing business in the sector.
The former Permanent Secretary further called on the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to collaborate with the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) in creating a harmonised Tourism Development Levy that would provide sustainable funding for tourism development.
Highlighting the importance of financing, Ida proposed the establishment of a Nigeria Tourism Development Fund with an initial capital of N500 billion, to be managed by the Bank of Industry in partnership with state governments.
He explained that the fund would provide long-term, single-digit interest financing for hotels, resorts, conference centres and cultural infrastructure, noting that tourism projects typically require huge capital investment and long gestation periods.
He also recommended incentives such as pioneer status, duty waivers on tourism equipment, five-year tax holidays and guaranteed land titles to attract local and international investors.
Describing hospitality as the engine room of tourism, Ida stressed that hotels, restaurants and serviced apartments determine the quality of visitors’ experiences and the country’s global competitiveness as a destination.
He further identified inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, poor road networks, insecurity around tourism sites and shortage of skilled manpower as major obstacles hindering the sector’s growth.
To address the manpower gap, he called for the revitalisation of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and stronger collaboration between government and private operators to produce globally competitive tourism professionals.
Ida maintained that Nigeria already has a sound National Tourism Policy introduced in 2017, insisting that the major challenge lies in implementation rather than policy formulation.
He concluded by urging stakeholders to embrace collaboration, policy consistency and sustained investment, saying these remain the foundation for building a vibrant and globally competitive tourism industry.
“Tourism transformation is not a slogan. It is a choice. The assets are here. The market is here. The people are here. The only thing missing is decisive action,” he said.