Gani Adams Calls for Unity Among Tourism Organizations to Boost Nigeria’s Tourism

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has called for all tourism organizations in Nigeria to come together and form a joint committee. He believes this collaboration is essential for promoting the country’s tourism industry.

Adams made this appeal during the 2026 annual conference of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) held in Lagos. He received the Most Impactful Cultural Tourism Personality in Nigeria award at the event. He pointed out that one of the biggest challenges facing the tourism sector is the lack of cooperation among different groups.

He emphasized the importance of both corporate and exclusive tourism trips working together to drive growth. Adams stated, “We should learn for both the corporate and the exclusive to work together to promote our tourism industry.” He suggested that all tourism stakeholders should form a committee to enhance collaboration.

Adams also highlighted the economic value of tourism, saying it could generate more revenue than crude oil. He urged that conferences like ANJET should be used to educate Nigerians about the potential of tourism and the historic destinations available in the country.

At the conference, guest speaker Dr. Emmanuel Brasca Udo Ifeadi discussed how Nigeria’s immigration reforms could support tourism development. He explained that immigration is the first point of contact for international visitors and plays a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s image.

Ifeadi noted that travel and tourism contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economy, yet the country ranks low in the Travel & Tourism Development Index. He pointed out that despite having rich tourism assets, Nigeria is underperforming in this sector.

He outlined several reforms aimed at improving tourism, including a new visa policy and digital tools to streamline travel processes. However, he also warned of challenges such as technical issues with visa applications and poor infrastructure. Ifeadi encouraged journalists to monitor the implementation of these reforms to ensure they benefit the tourism industry.