Nigeria’s Tourism in 2025: Can Poor Maintenance Culture Derail Investments?

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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is placing a significant bet on tourism to diversify its oil-dependent economy. With initiatives such as the 2025 National Hospitality Summit and partnerships aimed at boosting diaspora investments, the country seeks to leverage its rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and urban vibrancy to drive economic growth. 

However, lurking in the background is a persistent challenge: a deeply ingrained culture of poor maintenance that has left infrastructure crumbling and public assets in disrepair. Could this “proven poor maintenance culture” impact these ambitious tourism investments, transforming potential economic benefits into unfulfilled promises? This feature reviews the issue, drawing on expert analyses, real-world examples, and international comparisons to uncover the risks and possible paths forward.

Nigeria’s infrastructure woes are no secret. From pothole-riddled roads to dilapidated stadiums, the country’s public assets often suffer from rapid decay. A 2024 study on the Geri-Alimi split-diamond interchange in Ilorin highlighted causes such as inadequate funding, corruption, and a lack of skilled personnel, which led to safety hazards and economic losses. 

Sports development has been hit hard, with former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick lamenting that poor maintenance stifles progress, citing examples such as the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

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This neglect extends to tourism sites. The once-iconic Obudu Mountain Resort, a multi-billion-dollar investment, now stands as a shadow of its former self due to years of abandonment. Social media users on X (formerly Twitter) have decried the decay, with one post noting, “Obudu Cattle Ranch collapsed… It’s now a shadow of itself,” attributing it to successive governments’ failure to maintain facilities. 

Another user lamented, “Nigeria has the highest number of tourism sites in West Africa, yet we cannot boast of high traffic… because why????” pointing to poor upkeep as a key barrier.

Experts agree: poor road infrastructure impedes access to attractions, while neglected sites deter visitors. A report on tourism in the Jebba Community cited inadequate funding and a lack of skilled personnel as major hurdles. 

In Enugu State, challenges like a lack of commitment and irregular inspections exacerbate the issue. This culture of neglect isn’t just anecdotal; it’s systemic, with the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers calling it a “major problem” in 2023.

 

Investing in Tourism: Opportunities Amid Perils

Nigeria’s tourism push is gaining momentum. In 2025, the government launched a strategic plan to elevate the creative economy and tourism, harnessing cultural assets and improving infrastructure. 

Initiatives like the Motherland 2025 project position Nigeria as a hub for African culture and investment, with stakeholders calling for partnerships and reforms to drive growth. A Boston Consulting Group report hailed Nigeria as an emerging global leader in travel, projecting growth in both inbound and outbound markets.

However, the issue of inadequate maintenance remains a significant concern. Will gleaming new resorts and hubs suffer the same fate as Obudu or Tinapa, which decayed post-construction due to ego-driven politics and a lack of continuity? One X user warned, “There’s a strong reason I have reservations about investing… in tourism; we know about the maintenance culture in Nigeria.” 

Studies show that without sustained upkeep, tourism suffers: poor roads limit access, and unmaintained attractions lead to lost revenue. Sustainable tourism in 2025 relies on NGOs, laws, and investments, but experts fear neglect could “rub off”, turning investments into liabilities.

 

Comparative Analysis: Nigeria vs. Japan

Japan stands in stark contrast to Nigeria’s maintenance struggles. Known for its “quality infrastructure”, Japan employs cutting-edge tech like drones and sensors for efficient upkeep, ensuring longevity in water systems, roads, and urban assets. Japan maintains its 800 trillion yen infrastructure stock, focusing on disaster resilience and environmental sustainability, as evidenced by post-earthquake “fortress-ification” efforts.

Cultural differences amplify this gap. Japan’s emphasis on punctuality, teamwork, and long-term planning fosters a maintenance ethos, while Nigeria grapples with attitudinal issues and short-term thinking. Unemployment in Japan is low (2.6% compared to Nigeria’s 3.1%), reflecting the country’s efficient systems. One Reddit user pondered, “What do countries like Japan have that Nigeria doesn’t?” This is due to structured governance and low crime rates, which enable effective maintenance and upkeep.

 

Lessons from Singapore and Germany

Singapore and Germany offer further contrasts. Singapore’s transformation from a developing nation mirrors Nigeria’s potential but highlights the importance of discipline. Strict policies ensure clean and efficient infrastructure, unlike Nigeria’s “scrapyard” mentality toward maintenance. 

Germany’s engineering prowess emphasises sustainability, with cultural values prioritising order over Nigeria’s challenges, like corruption. Both nations invest in training and policy, yielding resilient systems that Nigeria could adopt to safeguard its tourism.

Is Nigeria’s poor maintenance a cultural trait or policy failure? Evidence leans toward the latter. Causes include corruption, inadequate planning, and weak governance, rather than an inherent identity. A 2023 analysis blamed “financial scandals, poor maintenance cultures, and incompetent management,” rooted in leadership flaws. While some view it as a “national development bane,” it is often tied to absent policies and ego-driven decisions, such as abandoning predecessors’ projects. Cultural shifts could be beneficial, but governmental reforms, anti-corruption measures, adequate funding, and practical training are key to driving change.

In conclusion, Nigeria’s tourism investments hold promise, but poor maintenance risks undermining them. By learning from Japan, Singapore, and Germany, and addressing root causes through better governance, Nigeria can break the cycle. The question isn’t if it will rub off; it’s whether leaders will act before it’s too late.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) And Answers

What are examples of poor maintenance in Nigeria’s tourism sites?

Sites like Obudu Mountain Resort have deteriorated due to neglect, with issues like broken cable cars and overgrown facilities, as highlighted in social discussions and reports.

How does Japan’s maintenance culture differ from that of Nigeria?

Japan utilises advanced technology and places a cultural emphasis on resilience for long-term sustainability, whereas Nigeria struggles with funding and policy gaps.

Is Nigeria’s poor maintenance a cultural issue?

It’s more a result of governmental choices, such as corruption and a lack of policy, rather than an inherent national identity.

What tourism investments is Nigeria making in 2025?

Plans include the National Hospitality Summit, creative economy strategies, and diaspora hubs to enhance job opportunities and promote cultural tourism.

How can Nigeria improve its maintenance culture?

Nigeria can improve its maintenance culture by implementing anti-corruption reforms, increasing funding, providing skilled training, and ensuring policy continuity while drawing lessons from efficient nations like Singapore.