The federal government is seeking increased private-sector investment in Nigeria’s tourism industry as it moves to reposition the sector through stronger policy coordination, public-private partnerships and expanded domestic tourism.
The government’s position was disclosed at the ninth Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE 2026), held in Abuja under the theme, “Tourism Transformation Through Collaboration, Policy Alignment and Investment.”
Hannatu Musa Musawa, minister of arts, culture, tourism and creative economy, said private capital would be critical to delivering the scale of transformation required in the industry, placing investment and collaboration at the centre of the government’s tourism strategy.
The forum, organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), brought together policymakers, state governments, investors, development partners, financial institutions, international organisations, tourism associations, airlines, hospitality operators and destination managers.
FTAN said the gathering was designed to move the industry beyond policy dialogue towards concrete investment, public-private partnerships and stronger coordination across the tourism value chain.
Musawa identified policy and regulation, partnerships with states, international partnerships and domestic tourism as four priorities underpinning the government’s approach to transforming the sector.
The call for greater investment comes against the backdrop of concerns within the industry over the legal and institutional framework governing tourism.
In July, FTAN called for the review and re-enactment of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Act and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) Act, arguing that ambiguities in the existing laws had contributed to disputes and litigation in the sector.
The federation’s position highlights the connection between regulatory clarity and investment confidence.
For private investors considering long-term commitments to tourism infrastructure and businesses, clearer institutional mandates and more predictable regulation could reduce uncertainty and improve the attractiveness of the sector.
The reform agenda is therefore emerging as an important component of the push to mobilise private capital.
The government is also placing greater emphasis on partnerships with state governments, which control many of Nigeria’s tourism assets and destinations.
State-level collaboration could help unlock investment in attractions, cultural assets, hospitality facilities and destination infrastructure while allowing individual states to develop tourism propositions around their distinct natural and cultural advantages.
The participation of state governments at NTIFE 2026 is expected to support stronger coordination between federal tourism policy and sub-national investment initiatives.
FTAN said the forum would focus on tourism investment commitments, state tourism collaboration, improved policy coordination and regional tourism cooperation.
The government’s emphasis on domestic tourism also points to an attempt to reduce the sector’s dependence on international visitors.
A stronger domestic tourism market could provide a more stable demand base for hotels, airlines, restaurants, entertainment businesses, attractions and other tourism operators, while helping distribute tourism-related economic activity across different regions.
Expanding domestic tourism would also require investment in infrastructure, destination marketing, hospitality standards, transport connectivity and tourism experiences capable of attracting Nigerian travellers.
The government’s four-pronged strategy consequently links domestic demand with the broader investment and regulatory reforms needed to build a more competitive tourism industry.
FTAN is positioning NTIFE beyond a conventional industry conference, describing it as a regional investment platform designed to connect investors, development partners, governments and businesses across the tourism value chain.
The 2026 edition is expected to strengthen public-private partnerships while encouraging tourism investment commitments and greater cooperation among states and international partners.
