by The Ajasa News | July 30, 2025 8:10 am
Adejoh Bilkisu
With the spotlight firmly on sustainability, inclusion, and innovation, tourism stakeholders from across Nigeria and West Africa converged in Abuja for the 4th National Conference on Domestic and Eco-Tourism/Exhibition, organized by Everything Hospitality. Themed “Sustainable Tourism Practices: Challenges and Opportunities for Domestic and Ecotourism Development,” the high-level gathering showcased Nigeria’s growing commitment to harnessing tourism as a tool for economic transformation and environmental stewardship.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, delivered a keynote address that underscored the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition tourism as a strategic pillar of national development.
“Tourism, when managed sustainably, has the potential to transform economies, uplift communities, and protect our cultural and natural heritage,” the Minister said, reaffirming the Ministry’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She highlighted current initiatives including the review of the National Tourism Policy, the development of a new Tourism Master Plan, and support for community-based tourism projects that prioritize local content and ecological integrity.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of collaboration across public and private sectors, calling for deeper investment in infrastructure, capacity building, digital transformation, and inter-agency coordination.
“We must build a tourism sector that is resilient, inclusive, climate-conscious, and future-ready. This conference presents an opportunity for all stakeholders to chart a bold and united course forward,” she added.
The convener and host, Dr. Obinna Alexander Onyeocha, Chief Executive Officer of Everything Hospitality and Tourism Services and the Chairman Main Organizing Committee, delivered an inspiring address that reaffirmed his deep commitment to developing tourism as a tool for national identity, local empowerment, and regional integration.
“Tourism is not just about travel it is about livelihood, identity, and sustainable growth,” Dr. Onyeocha said. “From the festivals of Osun to the hills of Obudu, and the deserts of the North to the mangroves of the Niger Delta, Nigeria is overflowing with untapped potential.”
Dr. Onyeocha, widely regarded as a thought leader in the domestic tourism movement, traced the origin of the conference back to a bold idea born four years ago. What started as a modest initiative has now grown into a major national platform for shaping tourism policy, attracting investment, and connecting eco-conscious innovators.
He noted that sustainable domestic tourism presents a rare opportunity for inclusive development where artisans, local tour guides, youth cooperatives, and cultural custodians can all benefit from a more grounded and community-first model.
“This is not tourism for the elite. It is tourism for the people,” he declared. “The kind that supports the basket weaver in Kwara, the drummers of Calabar, the wildlife guides in Bauchi, and the cultural heritage of every region.”
Calling for a shift in mindset, Dr. Onyeocha urged federal and state governments, development partners, and the private sector to embrace a more visionary, grassroots-based approach to tourism development one that addresses environmental concerns, builds capacity, and tells authentic African stories.
He also praised the contributions of women and young people in reshaping the narrative of travel and culture in Nigeria. “We must empower a new generation of tourism storytellers, eco-entrepreneurs, and digital promoters,” he said.
“We are building something that will outlive us, this movement is about more than events. It is about changing how we see ourselves and how the world sees Nigeria through tourism.”Dr. Onyeocha concluded
Yobe State, represented by Zannah Ali Ibrahim, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Solid Minerals, shared bold plans to host Nigeria’s first-ever international desert car racing event in the scenic Tulo-Tulo Desert and Yusufari sand dunes between November and December 2025.
“This is a new chapter for Yobe State. We are positioning our unique desert landscape for global attention and adventure tourism,” he stated.
He noted that tourism is one of the pillars of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s vision to rebuild Yobe through diversification and inclusive growth.
Other speakers echoed the call for a reimagined tourism ecosystem that is community-owned, environmentally conscious, and economically inclusive.
The conference provided a platform for discussions on climate resilience, rural tourism development, youth engagement, cultural preservation, and the role of digital media in marketing local destinations.
Now in its fourth edition, the National Conference for Domestic and Ecotourism has grown into a signature event in Nigeria’s tourism calendar championing the call to “see Nigeria first” and leverage Africa’s rich heritage for shared prosperity.
As curtains draw on the conference, delegates expressed optimism that its resolutions will trigger renewed energy across ministries, private enterprises, and local tourism operators.
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