The conversation and call to policymakers in Nigeria to make tourism more economically viable

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The conversation and call to policymakers in Nigeria to make tourism more economically viable, resilient and less dependent on crude oil production has for some time been raised by pundits from diverse intellectual and professional backgrounds. .
    The crux of their charge is for the state to pay more attention to the Non-Oil sector. One of the sectors suggested for exploration and development is the artistic, culture and tourism endowments of Nigeria if we are indeed serious about sustainable job creation, non oil revenue generation and incalculable implications on commercial and general economic development. Interestingly, a crop of progressively inclined personnel both at the government level and private players in the art, culture and tourism space in Ekiti-State took up the challenge in the face of humongous traditional hindrance. 


The clarity and nobility of her tourism development vision happily found a warm reception in the Dr Kayode Fayemi led administration and Governor Abayomi Oyebanji's. One of the crystal testament of  the Ekiti Arts, Culture and Tourism Sector and the unprecedented development of the sector is the nationally acclaimed and celebrated annual EKIFEST. It is a festival that has since its inception generated the anticipated benefits of a virile tourism sector like bringing people and their resources to the state, supports sectors like hotel/hospitality, crafts/artifacts and lots more. 


The 2024 EKIFEST is yet another audacious statement by the EKITI Tourism architecture to stay the course of socio-economic progress and galvanize the much needed development of Ekiti State and Nigeria through tourism.
I am in closing enjoining Corporate Organizations, well meaning citizens and compatriots to visit, patronize and support the tall quest to make Ekiti the most preferred destination in Nigeria and beyond.

Oludare Ajijola is a sociologist , public servant and human rights specialist.



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