Nigeria To Tap From $200bn Tourism Potentials In Africa - Osinbajo

VICE President, Yemi Osinbajo yesterday said the Federal Government has massively invested in infrastructure with a view to tapping into the $200bn derivable from the African tourism.

Osinbajo who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital yesterday said that tourism in the country has the potential of becoming the “driver of economy and major job creator.”

He disclosed that World Bank research had shown that Africa has the potential of earning 200 billion dollars from tourism out of which only 50 billion has so far been developed.

Osinbajo regretted that poor infrastructure had deprived Nigeria and other African countries of huge economic benefits derivable from tourism.

He spoke while commissioning a multi- billion naira Conference Hotel, owned by former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The Vice President said President Muhammadu Buhariled government had invested in road and rail projects as part of moves to drive economy through tourism.

Osinbajo asked Nigerians to emulate Daniel by investing in the hospitality business in order to drive the economy and create job.

While describing the project as “remarkable and landmark,” Osinbajo said the hotel has capacity to creat 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.

“It is therefore no coincidence that our government is investing massively in critical infrastructure such as roads and railway construction in our efforts to see that we not only ease the movement of people, but also the movement of goods and position ourselves as a country that can take a bigger share of the global tourism market.

“We are also working with state governments on the ease of doing business which is the important part of the economic policies of Buhari’s administration. “This administration is committed to the promotion of culture and tourism as only last week approved the hosting of the International Arts and Crafts Exchange in Abuja with 30 countries compared to 22 countries in 2018.

“This platform provides an opportunity for stakeholders in the world to meet and share ideas as well as to showcase their art and craft products,” Osinbajo said.