To promote sustainable change in Nigeria’s tourist industry, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has advocated for increased private sector investment, innovation, and cooperation.
As the Chamber joined the international community in celebrating World Tourism Day 2025, which has as its subject “Sustainable Transformation in Tourism,” the call was made on Friday.
Agribusiness, hospitality, and creative industry stakeholders came together to discuss new growth prospects for Lagos and Nigeria in general.
The LCCI Hotel and Tourism Sector’s Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Eko Tourism Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Tunde Lawrenson, emphasized the value of partnerships and investment as means of achieving sustainability in his welcome remarks.
The President of LCCI, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, FCA, stated that although there are still issues facing the industry, private sector cooperation is essential to maximizing tourism’s potential. He warned against relying too much on the government and encouraged all parties involved to use Nigeria’s internationally renowned creative sector to increase travel. He also played down insecurity narratives, pointing out that similar issues face a number of prosperous international locations.
The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria’s former president, Comrade Hassan Zakari, gave the keynote address and stressed the importance of strategic investments in agritourism and infrastructure for sustained industry growth.
Additional donors included Mr. Aderoju Owosanya, who represented the Chairman/CEO of Xtralarge Farms and Resorts; Pastor (Dr.) Olarewaju Saba, MD/CEO of St. Chris Properties & Investment Ltd.; and Dr. Amb. Daniel Olabintan, Chairman of the Elders Group, Travel and Tour.
Through an interactive panel discussion, participants had the opportunity to speak with leaders in the field directly about important topics like infrastructure, youth participation, and promoting local tourism.
At the conclusion of the gathering, a statement listed the following resolutions:
boosting youth and Gen Z participation in the growth of the tourism industry.
promoting regional travel by utilizing cultural heritage, music, and cinema.
fortifying alliances in the creative economy, hospitality, and agriculture.
In order to reposition Nigeria’s tourism industry for sustainable growth and global competitiveness, this year’s celebration, which focused on Lagos, highlighted agritourism and infrastructure investment.
