The Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa and the 76th Inaugural Lecturer, Professor Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ngoka, have called on the Federal Government to make strategic investments and strengthen security to unlock Nigeria’s vast tourism wealth for sustainable national development.
The call was made at the University’s 76th Inaugural Lecture titled, “Uneven Steps to Tourism Development in Nigeria: Optimizing the Vast Potentials of the Sector for Sustainable National Development,” delivered by Professor Ngoka, a Professor of Hospitality and Tourism, at the Senator Anyim Pius Anyim Auditorium, MOUAU.
Declaring the lecture open, Professor Akanwa described the theme as timely and significant, stressing that tourism deserves critical national attention due to its capacity to promote enterprise development, generate employment, showcase cultural diversity and drive economic diversification. She noted that tourism generates about $4.1 billion globally annually, underscoring its huge economic value, and urged government and critical stakeholders to address the challenges hindering its growth in Nigeria.
In his lecture, Professor Ngoka said tourism remains a major driver of economic growth, environmental protection, cultural and religious preservation, recreation and leisure. He noted that Nigeria is endowed with abundant natural, cultural and historical attractions which, if properly harnessed, could generate revenue, create jobs and attract investment.
He identified inadequate tourism infrastructure, insecurity, insufficient funding, multiple taxation, weak international marketing and low public awareness as major impediments to the sector. He emphasized that tourism is a sensitive and fragile industry that depends heavily on visitors’ safety and confidence, noting that even the slightest fear or perceived threat could discourage tourists from visiting a destination.
Professor Ngoka therefore urged the Federal Government to provide competitive tourism infrastructure, strengthen security architecture to guarantee safety of tourists and investments, improve funding, create an enabling tax environment and intensify international marketing of Nigeria’s tourism destinations to attract local and foreign investors and maximize its contribution to national prosperity.
