Festive Tourism Boom Exposes Nigeria’s Structural Gaps
Festive Boom Reveals Nigeria’s Tourism Promise—and Its Limits
NIGERIA’S tourism industry recorded a significant upswing during the 2025 festive season, driven largely by the “Detty December” phenomenon and a strong influx of diaspora visitors. Tour operators across Lagos and other key destinations reported heightened activity as Nigerians abroad returned home to reconnect with their roots and immerse themselves in cultural experiences.
Hotels operated at near full capacity, airport transport services were stretched, and guided tours quickly sold out. Cultural excursions gained traction, amplified by social media visibility that showcased Nigeria’s festivals, beaches, and heritage landmarks to a global audience.
Heritage Sites Draw Global Attention
In Badagry, a historic coastal town, diaspora and foreign tourists thronged resorts such as Whispering Palms, combining leisure with visits to slave trade relics and heritage sites. According to Oyindamola Fashogbon, Senior Partner for Marketing and Communications at the resort, Badagry’s appeal lies in its layered history and storytelling potential.
Visitors from the United States, United Kingdom and Germany were among those drawn to the town’s cultural significance. Yet, the surge also exposed infrastructural strain, as growing demand began to outpace planning, logistics and policy coordination.
Festivals Flourish, Barriers Persist
Similarly, La Campagne Tropicana’s Ipada Festival attracted international guests who participated in activities ranging from carnivals and tree planting to film screenings. Organisers, however, lamented that visa restrictions and broader travel barriers limited attendance, particularly from other African countries, undermining diaspora reconnection efforts.
Industry stakeholders say such restrictions remain a major obstacle to positioning Nigeria as a seamless tourism destination.
Operators Stretched by Structural Gaps
The Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) acknowledged the festive success but warned that persistent structural deficiencies threaten long-term growth. According to NATOP president, Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, logistics bottlenecks, rising operational costs and poor coordination placed operators under intense pressure.
“These are structural problems that prevent the delivery of consistent, world-class experiences, even when demand is strong,” she said.
Mustapha disclosed that NATOP plans to prioritise smarter systems in 2026, including technology adoption and deeper collaboration with airlines, embassies, creatives and the diaspora to encourage year-round tourism.
Policy Shifts and Calls for Reform
Tourism expert Wale Ojo-Lanre argued that Nigeria’s tourism struggles stem from weak institutional focus rather than lack of assets. He called for restoring tourism as a standalone ministry to provide clarity and authority.
Recent steps, such as the planned return of tourism information desks at major airports through collaboration between NTDA and FAAN, are seen as positive but insufficient. Stakeholders insist that only deep structural reforms can turn seasonal success into sustained growth.
